The San Antonio Spurs (1-0) and New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will broadcast live on Gulf Coast Sports.
The Spurs are 4.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Spurs -4.5), with the over/under set at 233.5 total points. San Antonio is a -180 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Spurs vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Friday, October 24.
My Spurs vs Pelicans Prediction
- Spurs vs Pelicans pick: Spurs -4.5 (-110)
My Spurs vs Pelicans best bet is on the Spurs to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at bet365. 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 |
-4.5 -110 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | -180 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | +150 |
Spurs vs Pelicans NBA Preview
On Wednesday, in a battle of the first two overall picks in the 2025 NBA Draft (the Mavs' Cooper Flagg and the Spurs' Dylan Harper), it was Victor Wembanyama, a former No. 1 overall pick himself, who stole the show.
In 30 minutes, Wembanyama had 40 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks on 15-of-21 from the field.
While Wembanyama dominated the game on both ends, the change in his shot diet was particularly noticeable. He only attempted two 3-pointers — knocking down one — in the season opener after averaging nearly nine per game last season.
Wembanyama led the Spurs to a 125-92 win without De'Aaron Fox.
Meanwhile, Harper impressed in his NBA debut with 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes. Reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle added 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
This came against a Dallas team that should be one of the league's best in defensive rating this season, so I would expect the Spurs to have a ton of success offensively against the Pelicans as well.
In Memphis, the Pelicans jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half, but the Grizzlies flipped the game with a 41-point third quarter, and the Pelicans fell 128-122.
However, they had to be happy about having their own former No. 1 overall pick back on the floor.
After being limited to 30 games last season, Zion Williamson had 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. He is averaging 23.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 12 career games against the Spurs.
However, this is just the third career matchup between Williamson and Wembanyama.
The Pelicans also got 17 points apiece from Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears in their team debuts, as well as the NBA debut for Fears.
I would also expect a bounce-back game from Trey Murphy, who scored 13 points on 5-for-15 from the field.
Murphy broke out last year, averaging a career high 21.2 points per game while shooting 45% from the field.
Spurs vs Pelicans Prediction, Betting Analysis
Over the last five meetings between these teams, the Pelicans have been favored three times.
However, it is the Spurs who have won three of those games, and two of them have been by four points or more.
While they are led by youth and learning how to win, they are the better team in this matchup and should get more stops.
That is largely because they will have the best player on the floor in this matchup. Wembanyama dominated a Dallas frontline that features Anthony Davis, one of the best defenders of his generation, and Dereck Lively II, an emerging defender in his own right.
Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in just 26 minutes per game against the Pelicans last season. He will see little resistance tonight against a Pelicans team that just allowed 56 points in the paint.
After going for 55 PR (points + rebounds) on Wednesday, I like Wembanyama for at least 40 tonight as well as three blocks.
Additionally, without Fox, I believe there is value in Harper's lines.
After averaging 19 points, 4.6 rebounds, and four assists per game in his lone season at Rutgers, Harper looked very comfortable in his NBA debut. If he gets over 20 minutes again, I like him for 18 PRA tonight.
Pick: Spurs -4.5 (-110, bet365)
Spurs vs. Pelicans Parlay Picks
- Victor Wembanyama 40+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Dylan Harper Over 17.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Victor Wembanyama 3+ Blocks
Parlay Odds: +345 via DraftKings
Pelicans vs Spurs Betting Trends
