New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 3/15/2018

Thursday, March 15, 2018

AT&T Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to AT&T Center to play the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 4.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 39-28. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.4 as they are averaging 112.1 points per contest while giving up 111.7 per game. The Spurs have an overall mark of 38-30. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.2 points per contest and giving up 99.4, which is a point differential of 2.8.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 36-31-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 41-26-0 against the over/under

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 34-32-2 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 30-38-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

01/17/18 SF Kawhi Leonard Quad is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game in 36.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 11.1 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 19.3 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Rudy Gay averages 11.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 22.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 79%. Patty Mills averages 9.6 points per game while playing 24.3 minutes per contest this year for the Spurs. He grabs 1.8 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 111.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 10th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they give up 24.3 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league. New Orleans averages 112.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.43 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 26.7 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spurs surrender 99.4 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 21.6 assists allowed per contest, and 12th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14 per game this season. San Antonio is 28th in the league with 102.2 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.87. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game and 13th in assists per contest with 23. The Spurs are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.7, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league. New Orleans is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Spurs are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.5, and their defensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Spurs NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +4.5

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