The New Orleans Pelicans have been beyond shorthanded on this week’s road trip but have picked up back-to-back ATS wins against the Rockets and Nuggets as they go for the trifecta tonight in San Antonio. Oddsmakers are betting against them, though, as once again New Orleans finds itself as a double-digit underdog at +10.5 points. The total opened at 231.
- New Orleans is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road.
- San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
- New Orleans is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games when playing San Antonio.
You Know It’s Jrue
Jrue Holiday, the only Pelicans regular starter who isn’t on the injury report, will once again be the focal point of the New Orleans offense tonight at AT&T Center. Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic and E’Twaun Moore are all carrying designations and unlikely to play tonight.
Teams in this situation either fold or flourish and credit has to be given to the depth players for the Pelicans who have gotten their opportunity this week. Jahlil Okafor, Darius Miller and Kenrich Williams have stepped into the lineup and provided much needed minutes and points.
After upsetting the Rockets as 13.5-point dogs on Tuesday, the Pelicans covered as 9-point dogs the following night in Denver. The only game they haven’t won ATS in their last four? A 126-114 loss at home to San Antonio a week ago.
Spurs Have Lost Two Straight Against The Spread
San Antonio is on a four-game winning streak, but they just squeaked out wins against Phoenix and Brooklyn this week and lost both of those games ATS. Tonight marks just the second time this season that the Spurs are double-digit favorites, with both other games coming against the Suns, including a two-point win on Tuesday as 13.5 point chalk.
The Pelicans have covered both games they’ve played as a 10+-point underdog this season and are 5-0 ATS in their last five games in this spot.
My Pick For Tonight
I watched both games that the wounded Pelicans played this week and I was impressed by the scrappiness with which they played defensively. It’s hard to rely too much on the previous numbers for New Orleans this season because they are playing without so many of their regulars.
One thing is for sure – the distractions and potential trade talks surrounding the club have not affected the play of the guys on the court. I think New Orleans covers their third straight road game and 5th in their last seven games on the road overall.
