Spurs vs. Pelicans Picks & Predictions 3/26/22

San Antonio Spurs (29-44 SU, 36-36-1 ATS) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (31-42 SU, 37-35-1 ATS)

When: Saturday March 26 2022, 05:00 PM (ET)

Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

TV: BSSW-SA

Point Spread: SAS -6/NOP +6 (Opened PHI -5.5 at Everygame – Check out their 200% bonus on your $25 deposit!)

Total: 221.5 (Opened at 222.5)

Money Line: San Antonio Spurs -244/New Orleans Pelicans 198

Power Rating: SAS -4

Probable Starting Lineups

San Antonio Spurs PG Dejounte Murray, SG Joshua Primo, SF Devin Vassell Q, PF Keldon Johnson, C Jakob Poeltl

New Orleans Pelicans PG C.J. McCollum, SG Herb Jones, SF Brandon Ingram Q, PF Jaxson Hayes, C Jonas Valanciunas

Key Injuries

San Antonio Spurs
Lonnie Walker IV: Back (OUT)
Devin Vassell: Achilles (QUESTIONABLE)
Romeo Langford: Hamstring (OUT)
Devontae Cacok: Heel (OUT)
Doug McDermott: Nose (OUT)

New Orleans Pelicans
Brandon Ingram: Hamstring (OUT)
Zion Williamson: Foot (OUT)
Kira Lewis Jr.: Knee (OUT)

The New Orleans Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs in a Western-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 05:00 PM ET at the Smoothie King Center.

Recent Form

The San Antonio Spurs come into this game with an overall record of 29-44, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, San Antonio has struggled in their 36 road contests, sitting at 15-21. Over their last five games, the Spurs have played well, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, San Antonio is averaging 119.0 points per game, 6.0 points more than their season average of 112.9. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 110.0 points per contest. Even though San Antonio has been picking up wins, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 119.0 points per game, up from the Spurs’ usual rate of 113.4.In the San Antonio Spurs’ most recent game, San Antonio took down Portland by a score of 133-96.

The New Orleans Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 31-42, placing them 10nd in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, New Orleans has struggled in their 37 home contests, sitting at 17-20. The Pelicans have played well over their last five games, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, New Orleans is averaging 117.0 points per game, 8.0 points more than their season average of 108.8. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 112.0 points per contest. The Pelicans have been picking up victories while holding opponents to an average of 110.0 points per game, similar to their season average of 109.8. In the New Orleans Pelicans’ most recent game, New Orleans took down Chicago by a score of 126-109.

Individual Player Analysis

As San Antonio travels to take on the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs’ leading scorer is Dejounte Murray. Through 65 games, Murray is averaging 20 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 54.0% of his games. As Murray gets set to take on the Pelicans, he could be in line for a big game as New Orleans is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 53.23% of their games. This figure places them 25th among NBA defenses. On the other side, CJ McCollum leads the Pelicans in scoring, averaging 26 points across his 18 games. Throughout the season, McCollum has outscored his season average in 44.0% of his outings. Given that San Antonio’s defense has struggled to slow down their opponent’s top scorers, CJ McCollum should be in line for a big performance. So far, the Spurs have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 62.71% of their games, giving them a rank of 29th among NBA defenses.

Matchup Analysis

The Spurs come into this game as the more efficient offensive team, averaging 108.6 points per 100 possessions. When playing as the superior offensive unit, San Antonio is winning at a rate of 50%. These victories are coming by an average margin of 21.0 points. On the other side, the Pelicans hold the advantage on the defensive end of the floor. So far, they have played 14 games as the better defensive team, picking up 8 wins (57%).

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans have met up for 3 games. In their last meeting, New Orleans picked up a 124-91 win.

How the Public is Betting the Spurs vs Pelicans

67% are betting the Pelicans against the spread.

52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 234.0

Get Joe’s Houston at Portland Best Bet >>>

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Spurs are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
• Spurs are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games as an underdog.
• Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

Heading into this matchup, both the Spurs and Pelicans are on winning streaks vs the spread, with San Antonio covering in two straight contests and New Orleans at four. Between the two units, the biggest statistical mismatch is the Pelican’s ability to crash the offensive boards. For the year, they are the 3rd ranked unit, coming down with the offensive rebound on 26% of their missed shots. In addition, New Orleans should have no problem scoring inside vs a Spurs group ranked 27th in paint points allowed per game. I like the Pelicans to cover the spread. Be sure to check out the rest of our Saturday NBA picks!