The New Orleans Pelicans (0-2) and San Antonio Spurs (2-0) meet Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (NBATV/ESPN+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pelicans vs. Spurs odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Pelicans have taken the court twice in the Vegas Summer League, suffering a 91-86 loss to the Orlando Magic Sunday after falling 81-74 to the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday. New Orleans shot 50.8% (31-of-60) from the field vs. Orlando, but the difference was poor free-throw shooting. The Pels were just 70.8% (17-of-24) with 24 turnovers.
The Spurs have won a couple of nail-biters in Vegas, topping the Portland Trail Blazers 83-77 Saturday a day before edging the Atlanta Hawks 79-76 Sunday. San Antonio beat Atlanta despite hitting just 34.2% (27-of-79) from the field, while going just 21.1% (8-of-38) from behind the arc.
Pelicans at Spurs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -144 (bet $144 to win $100) | Spurs +118 (bet $100 to win $118)
- Against the spread: Pelicans -2.5 (-116) | Spurs +2.5 (-114)
- Over/Under (O/U): 168.5 (O: -113 | U: -113)
Pelicans at Spurs picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 82, Spurs 76
Moneyline
NEW ORLEANS (-144) is worth playing lightly as a moderate favorite against San Antonio (+118).
The Spurs were terrible in the California Classic, but they have bounced back nicely to get off to a quick start in Vegas. However, despite winning both games on The Strip, they have lost a lot. Rookie G Stephon Castle suffered a sprained right wrist, and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft will miss the remainder of Summer League. San Antonio was sloppy and disjointed, as it is. Without Castle, the kingdom is going to crumble.
Against the spread
Backing New Orleans -2.5 (-106) is the lean if you don’t want to lay the -144 juice on Pelicans money line.
The Pelicans have averaged 80.0 PPG in 2 Summer League games, while allowing 86.0 PPG. They’ve had some bad luck, sloppy play and missed opportunities at the free-throw line. If they can clean some things up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see NOLA win outright.
Just don’t bet more than 1½ UNITS between the Pelicans ML (-144) and the Pelicans -2.5 spread (-106).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 168.5 (-113). New Orleans has a very green team which has averaged just 80.0 PPG in 2 games so far. San Antonio has averaged just 81.0 PPG, while allowing just 76.5 PPG in 2 outings in Vegas. Without its top rookie, San Antonio is likely to continue struggling to light up the scoreboard.
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