NBA Predictions: Will Red-Hot Pelicans Upset Struggling Spurs? 3/15/18

Pelicans vs. Spurs Prediction

Will the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans hand the struggling San Antonio Spurs another loss when the two teams meet tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

(711) New Orleans Pelicans at (712) San Antonio Spurs

Thursday, March 15, 2018

TV: N/A, 8:30 p.m. ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Spurs are a 4.5-point home favorite to beat the Pelicans, while the over/under sits at 219.5 points. These two teams have headed in opposite directions over their last 10 games. While the Pelicans have won eight of their last 10, the Spurs have dropped seven of 10 over that same span.

LINE MOVEMENT

The Spurs opened as 4-point home favorites but despite their struggles, the line has climbed to 4.5 at the majority of online sportsbooks. As for the total, the number hit the board at 219.5 and that's where it currently sits.

Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games

PUBLIC BETTING

As of this writing, 52% of betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Spurs to cover the point spread. Meanwhile, the betting tickets online are split 50-50 on the total.

KEY INJURY TO WATCH

DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) is out for the year for the Pelicans, who are also without Frank Jackson (foot), Alexis Ajinca (knee) and Solomon Hill (hamstring). Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, is out for the Spurs but he's the only player listed on their injury report.

BETTING STRATEGY

Not only are Anthony Davis and the Pelicans hot overall, they've also been a great bet in this series. New Orleans is a perfect 4-0 against the spread in its last four games against San Antonio. The Pelicans are also a perfect 7-0 against the spread in their last seven road games, are 6-1 against the number in their last seven Western Conference matchups, and have won six of seven at the betting window in their last seven games coming off a win. On the other side, the Spurs are just 1-6 at the betting window in their last seven home games, are 3-12-1 against the spread in their last 16 games versus Southwest opponents, and are just 1-5 against the number in their last six conference tilts. With Leonard's return pushed back, I'll take the points with the team that is playing better at the moment.

 

OUR PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS +4.5