NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (24-31) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (14-43)

Team Overview

San Antonio Spurs:

• Record: 24-31
• Recent Performance: The Spurs have been struggling recently, losing 7 out of their last 9 games. They are currently 12th in the Western Conference.
• Key Players: The Spurs will be without their star player Victor Wembanyama, who is out for the season due to a shoulder injury. Other key players include Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Bismack Biyombo.
• Injury Report: Besides Wembanyama, the Spurs have David Duke Jr., Harrison Ingram, and Riley Minix listed as out due to their two-way G League contracts.

New Orleans Pelicans:

• Record: 14-43
• Recent Performance: The Pelicans have won 2 of their last 3 games and are looking to build on their recent success. They are currently second-last in the Western Conference.
• Key Players: Zion Williamson has been in excellent form, averaging 28 points per game in his last 5 outings. Other key players include CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Kelly Olynyk, and Yves Missi.
• Injury Report: The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Brandon Boston, Herbert Jones, and Keion Brooks Jr. due to various injuries.

Previous Matchups

The season series between the Spurs and Pelicans is currently tied 1-1, with each team winning at home. The Pelicans won the most recent matchup on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with a score of 114-96. In that game, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points, while Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson each scored 18 points for the Spurs.

Key Factors to Watch

1. Rebounding Battle: In their last game, the Pelicans dominated the Spurs in rebounding, with a 69-46 advantage. The Spurs will need to improve their performance on the boards to have a chance in this game.
2. Three-Point Shooting: The Spurs struggled with their shooting in the last game, hitting only 33% from the field and 29% from downtown. They will need to shoot better to compete with the Pelicans.
3. Zion Williamson’s Performance: Williamson has been on fire recently, and his performance will be crucial for the Pelicans’ success.

San Antonio Spurs                           239.5

New Orleans Pelicans                    – 3

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, February 24, 2025