San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 1/22/20 Predictions & Odds

Spurs vs. Pelicans Prediction

It’s finally the NBA debut of Zion Williamson tonight as he and the New Orleans Pelicans play host to the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

545 San Antonio Spurs vs. 546 New Orleans Pelicans

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

9:30PM ET – Smoothie King Center

TV: ESPN

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to the latest oddsmakers, the Pelicans are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Spurs. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 237 points.. The public betting currently has 74 percent going on the Pelicans as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Spurs look for third straight

San Antonio has won back-to-back games over the Heat and Suns coming into tonight. The Spurs are 19-23 on the season, 7-13 on the road, 17-24-1 against the spread and 26-16 with the over.

The Spurs are putting up 113.7 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.1 percent as a team. Defensively, San Antonio is giving up 114.7 points per game while opponents shoot 46.4 percent against them. DeMar DeRozan is leading the team with 22.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. LaMarcus Aldridge is adding 19.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest.

Pelicans adding Zion

New Orleans is coming off a 126-116 win at Memphis on Monday and the Pelicans have won three of their last four while covering in all four. The Pelicans are 17-27 on the season, 8-13 at home, 22-20-2 against the spread and 25-19 with the over.

The Pelicans are putting up 114.4 points per game on offense while shooting 45.4 percent from the field. Defensively, New Orleans is allowing 117.6 points per game while opponents shoot 46.7 percent from the floor. Despite Zion Williamson making his debut, the Pelicans have Derek Favors, Jahlil Okafor and Josh Hart all listed as questionable to play. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while Jrue Holiday is adding 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

San Antonio

The Spurs are 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 road games and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as an underdog.

New Orleans

The Pelicans have covered the spread in six straight home games and in seven straight when playing on 1 day of rest.

Prediction:

The Pelicans are playing really well right now and they seem to have found their stride. Some consider Zion being mixed in as a big plus, which I think it can be in the future. However, I think it will be disruptive in the first few games. New Orleans seems to be clicking right now and Zion coming into the lineup could disrupt that chemistry. He will also be on a time restriction, so it may be hard for him to fit into that flow the team has right now. As a rookie, he’s also going to go through some growing pains in the early stages of his first season and that could also disrupt the Pelicans. I think people need to tame their expectations for him, especially for tonight. I’d be surprised to see him take over a game and for the Pelicans to look in complete harmony. I think the Spurs rain on the parade.

NBA Prediction: San Antonio Spurs +3.5