Both teams will be playing the second game of a back-to-back when the Spurs and Pelicans meet in the Big Easy on Thursday. The difference is San Antonio hasn’t lost in its previous sets, going 12-0 while New Orleans is just 3-9 SU.
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SCHEDULING
This one-game road jaunt is nothing compared to what the Spurs just encountered. San Antonio completed its eight-game rodeo road trip with a win over Houston on Saturday for their fifth straight win. The Spurs ended the trip with a 7-1 SU and 4-4 ATS record. They played their first home game in nearly a month Wednesday when the Pistons visited. Now it’s back in the saddle for the Spurs with a quick trip to the Big Easy for the second of a back to-back set. The Spurs lost in their only visit to New Orleans, falling 104-90 on Nov. 20, but they are unbeaten in the second game of their 12 previous back-to-backs while posting an 8-4 ATS ledger.
A trip to Houston Wednesday in the first game of a back-to-back is the only road game for the Pelicans in a stretch of six that started with an upset win over Oklahoma City last Thursday. The euphoria over that win was quickly squelched when the Pels dropped a two-point game to the Timberwolves two nights later. The rims must be bigger at the Smoothie King Center as the Pels have averaged 113.5 points in their last four home games playing the over in each one. They are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS in that span. But it’s been a struggle in the second of back-to-backs for the Pelicans, who are just 3-9 SU and 6-6 ATS in such games.
INJURIES
The Spurs will be without Manu Ginobili as he continues to recover from a groin injury. He is progressing faster than expected and could be in the lineup as soon as this weekend. Backup center Matt Bonner has progressed in his recovery from a calf injury and could also be back in the lineup this week.
Anthony Davis sprained his big toe during pregame warm-ups Saturday and was held out from playing against Minnesota. Though Davis skipped Monday’s practice, the injury isn’t expected to keep him out of the lineup. Coach Alvin Gentry said he “anticipates” Davis playing in the Pelicans’ back-to-back set. Also, center Omar Asik will likely miss another week with a sprained right ankle while guards Tyreke Evans and Bryce Dejean-Jones are done for the year.
KEY MATCHUP
LaMarcus Aldridge is sad to see the calendar move past February. The Spurs big man had his finest month since slipping on a San Antonio jersey, averaging 20.5 points while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 91.4 percent from the free throw line. His coming out party took place on Feb. 3 when he dropped 36 on the Pelicans allowing the Spurs to cover the spread in a 110-97 win. Aldridge hit 12 of 20 shots and 12 free throws in that game. The Pelicans were powerless to stop him and LA did what he wanted down low. Tim Duncan was out of the lineup back then, allowing Aldridge to play more minutes with increased touches. With Timmy back, the numbers have dipped, though it’s not a concern to either player. The offense just changes. In the second game of a back-to-back, we may see Duncan firmly planted on the Spurs bench, allowing Aldridge to again put up big numbers.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
It’s rare that a 50-win team at this stage of the season gets paid such little attention. But it’s also rare what the Warriors are doing. The lack of national pub doesn’t bother the Spurs, though. In fact, coach Pop actually prefers it. The Spurs just keep doing what they’ve been doing for, what seems like, forever. With the Spurs and Warriors on a collision course for the Western Conference finals, homecourt advantage might actually have some meaning. The Spurs trail Golden State by four games in the overall standings with three games remaining between the two. If the Spurs want a chance at catching and surpassing the defending champs, no slip ups are allowed. Besides, San Antonio already did that once against New Orleans this season.
San Antonio 114, New Orleans 103
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