Pelicans vs. Spurs: 3 Best Bets

Before the San Antonio Spurs take on the New Orleans Pelicans, we compiled our three safest bets.

For the third time this season, the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans will face off. The Spurs are yet to win the matchup this season and have been unable to stop the dynamic New Orleans offense.

Jonas Valančiūnas, who is a career 13.5-point and 9.5-rebound center, has made a career of lighting up the Spurs. In 25 games against the Spurs, his averages increased to 15.9 points and 10.6 boards, and this season has been no different. His physicality down low has also given Victor Wembanyama fits, only scoring 17 points in his lone matchup with the Pelicans.

Dec 17, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Frost Bank Center / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs have not played New Orleans since adding Tre Jones into the starting five, so there is optimism that San Antonio can right the ship.

Larry Nance Jr., Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, and Dominick Barlow are all questionable. Neither team has a player listed as “out,” so hopefully full rosters will be available.

Keep it posted here for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Pelicans -7.5 (-118)/Spurs +7.5 (-105)

Money line: Pelicans (-333)/Spurs (+255)

Over/under: 233.5

Our picks

Safe pick: Victor Wembanyama OVER 23.5 points (-118)

Don’t say you weren’t warned! Devin Vassell put the league on notice, tipping off that Wemby might have some extra motivation after being snubbed from the All-Star game.

“I feel like he’s going to prove a point. And I don’t know what them numbers are going to look like after that,” said Vassell when asked if Wembanyama aims to make the All-Star team. Wembanyama did not make the February festivities and should aim to show the league why that was a mistake as he starts the back half of a presumptive ROTY season.

Opponent pick: Zion Williamson UNDER 21.5 points (-118)

Player props for Valančiūnas are not provided, but if you can find them, take his over as long as his line is 15.5 or below. For our book, Williamson is criminally overrated. He averages only 13.5 points against the Spurs this season and didn’t have to face Wembanyama in one of those games. Sure, he’s averaged 20.6 points over his last five games and didn’t play in the last game, but if he suits up tonight, he will be meeting a 7-4 wall at the rim who will make things tricky for him.

Power Rankings: Spurs Surging After Wins?

Team pick: OVER 233.5 total points (-110)

This line was smashed in one of the two matchups, as the Spurs and Pelicans combined for 227 and 256 points earlier in the season. With the Spurs' offense running better with Jones on the floor and little risk of Williamson sitting out, both teams should bring their best performances tonight on the offensive side, resulting in a high-scoring affair.