The San Antonio Spurs (15-7) and New Orleans Pelicans (3-21) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. The game will be broadcast live on Gulf Coast Sports.
The Spurs are 9.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Spurs -9.5), with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. San Antonio is a -440 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +320 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Spurs vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 8.
My Spurs vs Pelicans Prediction
- Spurs vs Pelicans pick: De'Aaron Fox Over 23.5 Points (-125)
My Pelicans vs Spurs best bet is on De'Aaron Fox to score over 23.5 points, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Spurs vs Pelicans Odds
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -105 | 236.5 -105o / -115u | -440 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -115 | 236.5 -105o / -115u | +320 |
Spurs vs Pelicans NBA Preview
For the Pelicans, a season that began with aspirations to return to the playoffs has already transitioned to a youth movement.
On Saturday, they went to Brooklyn as 3.5-point underdogs and lost 119-101 to another cellar dweller.
They have now lost 14 of their last 15 games, giving up 115 points or more in 14 of those games and ranking 27th with a 120.4 defensive rating over that span.
Trey Murphy has been a constant for the team, averaging 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He has shown some playmaking chops as well with four assists or more in six straight games.
Both of their first round picks have shown flashes as well. Jeremiah Fears is averaging 15.8 points and three assists per game and has scored in double figures in all but one game this season.
Derik Queen's minutes have been more inconsistent but he is still averaging 12 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Both Fears and Queen have gotten more minutes because of the Pelicans' injuries. DeJounte Murray has yet to debut this season while Jordan Poole has been limited to seven games.
Zion Williamson has played just 10 games and is out again tonight with an abductor injury. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Additionally, defensive specialist Herb Jones may return tonight as he is listed as questionable with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, the Spurs may get back their reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle as he was upgraded to questionable with a hip injury. The second-year guard is averaging 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game this season.
While head coach Mitch Johnson would get back Castle and his defensive acumen back (particularly for the NBA Cup), the Spurs have been just fine in the backcourt.
De'Aaron Fox is now averaging 25 points per game on the nose after scoring 25 or more in nine of his last 10 games. He has added 6.5 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game as well.
Dylan Harper is adding about 13 points and four assists off the bench, but he is coming off the worst game of his young career as he went 1-for-11 with three points at Cleveland.
The Spurs fell 130-117 to the Cavaliers, but will look to get back in the win column as nearly a double-digit favorite. They have taken each of the first two meetings from the Pelicans this season.
Spurs vs Pelicans Prediction, Betting Analysis
De'Aaron Fox made his season debut in the last meeting and scored 24 points on 9-for-14 from the field.
He has scored 25 points in nine of his last 10 games. In that span, he has a 32.6% usage rate and is attempting 18.4 attempts field goals per game.
While tonight would be the first game the Spurs have had him available along with Harper and Castle, he is averaging 27 points per game with Castle in the lineup this season.
Harrison Barnes has scored 13 points in seven of his last eight games against the Pelicans. He can be streaky, but the Pelicans allow the most 3-point attempts and second-most threes.
Trey Murphy has averaged 5.2 assists over his last six games. He has also scored 65 points in two games against the Spurs this season. He has recorded 25+ points and assists in five of his last eight games and four of his last six against the Spurs.
Jeremiah Fears has scored 15 points in seven of his last 10 games. He also had 14 on Saturday while shooting 4-for-15 from the field.
He has scored 13 and 18 points in two games against the Spurs this season, who are allowing the fourth-most points to point guards.
Pick: De'Aaron Fox Over 23.5 Points (-125)
Spurs vs. Pelicans Parlay Picks
- De'Aaron Fox 25+ Points
- Trey Murphy 25+ Points + Assists
- Jeremiah Fears 15+ Points
- Harrison Barnes Over 12.5 Points
Parlay Odds: +700 via DraftKings
Pelicans vs Spurs Betting Trends
