New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs February 25th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Pelicans (-140) will host the Spurs (+118) at the Smoothie King Center. The over/under line for the game is 238 points.

New Orleans (-2.5) is 14th in the Western Conference, while San Antonio is 12th. The Spurs have lost two straight games.

Spurs vs. Pelicans Key Information

Sport: NBA
Teams: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
Date: Tuesday, February 25th
Betting Odds NO -2.5, SA +118 | NO -140 O/U 238

The Spurs Can Win If…

The Spurs fell to 24-31 on the season after a 114-96 road loss to the Pelicans on Sunday. San Antonio entered the game as +2 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 210 points was well below the pre-game total of 242.5.

San Antonio started strong, going on an 11-0 run and holding the Pelicans to 14 points in the 2nd quarter. However, they couldn’t maintain their momentum, as they were outscored 35-26 in the 3rd quarter and 39-17 in the 4th.

The Spurs struggled offensively in their 96-point effort against the Pelicans, shooting just 33% from the field. Their three-point shooting was below average at 29.4%, though they did manage to hit 15 threes in the game.

Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie led the Spurs with 18 points each, with Champagnie knocking down 6 threes. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes added 13 points apiece, with Fox shooting just 18.8% from the field.

Defensively, the Spurs shined in the 2nd quarter, holding the Pelicans to just 14 points, but they struggled in the 3rd and 4th, allowing 35 and 39 points, respectively, in a 114-96 loss. San Antonio limited New Orleans to 44% shooting from the field.

The Spurs did a decent job defending the three, with the Pelicans making 11 threes at a 33% clip. San Antonio also recorded 11 steals and 7 blocks. However, they gave up 17 offensive rebounds.

In their last five games away from home, the Spurs have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 111 points per game in these contests.
As the betting underdog, the Spurs have an ATS mark of just 2-3 in their last five games. San Antonio posted a straight up mark of 1-4 in these matchups.
Over their last five games, the Spurs have an over/under record of 1-3-1 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Pelicans Can Win If…

The Pelicans improved to 14-43 on the season with a 114-96 win over the Spurs on Sunday. New Orleans, favored by 2 points, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total score of 210 points fell well short of the 242.5-point over/under line.

After the Spurs went on an 11-0 run early, New Orleans struggled in the 2nd quarter, scoring just 14 points. However, they turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring San Antonio 35-26 in the 3rd quarter and dominating the 4th quarter 39-17 to seal the win.

Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points in their win over the Spurs, scoring 10 in the 4th quarter. Karlo Matković added 19 points, with 12 coming in the final period. Trey Murphy contributed 15 points, including 7 in the 3rd and 6 in the 4th.

New Orleans shot 44.7% from the field and made 11 threes at 33.3%. Kelly Olynyk scored 7 of his 14 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, while CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado each finished with 12 points.

The Pelicans put on a defensive clinic against the Spurs, holding them to just 96 points on 33% shooting. After allowing 30 points in the 1st quarter, New Orleans tightened up, giving up only 17 points in the 4th to seal the win.

From beyond the arc, the Pelicans limited the Spurs to 15 threes on 29% shooting. San Antonio went 17/25 from the free-throw line. New Orleans also pulled down 52 defensive rebounds while allowing 13 offensive boards.

Across their three previous home games, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-3 while averaging 107 points per game.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Pelicans have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 6-4.
In their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re calling a win for the Pelicans, with a final score of 127-117, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Pelicans at -2.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 238 and given that our model is projecting 244 points between the teams, we like the over.

Pelicans Aim for Back-to-Back Wins Over Short-Handed Spurs

The New Orleans Pelicans (30-29) have struggled all season in rebounding, but Sunday’s 114-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs (13-47) proved they can control the glass when the matchup is right.

With Victor Wembanyama out for the season, New Orleans exploited San Antonio’s lack of size, grabbing a season-high 69 rebounds while outscoring the Spurs 58-34 in the paint.

Head coach Willie Green emphasized how finishing defensive possessions was key to the win.

“Our defense was really solid,” Green said. “An emphasis all season has been finishing possessions. I think we did a great job of that. It’s evident in having 69 rebounds.”

Now, with a second consecutive game against San Antonio on Tuesday night, the Pelicans will look to repeat that dominant effort.

Kelly Olynyk Making an Immediate Impact

The trade deadline acquisition of Kelly Olynyk is already paying off for New Orleans.

In just his fourth game with the team, Olynyk had his best performance as a Pelican:

14 points (one shy of his season high)
Season-high 15 rebounds

Alongside rookies Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic, Olynyk helped New Orleans completely control the paint.

Missi: 15 rebounds, 6 points
Matkovic: 19 points (season high), 6 rebounds

Even backup guard Jose Alvarado, the smallest player on the roster (6-foot-0), grabbed a career-high 9 rebounds.

With Wembanyama still out and San Antonio’s rebounding issues persisting, Olynyk and the young bigs should have another chance to dominate inside.

Spurs Struggling to Find Answers Without Wembanyama

The Spurs’ lack of size and rebounding hurt them badly on Sunday, and things could get even worse if backup center Charles Bassey (knee soreness) remains sidelined.

“I’m pretty frustrated for the kid,” interim head coach Mitch Johnson said. “No one feels sorry for you, but you play the hand you’re dealt and hopefully it will be a short-term thing.”

With Bassey limited to six minutes, San Antonio had to rely on 34-year-old Bismack Biyombo, who led the team with 10 rebounds and 10 points.

While Biyombo played well, he didn’t get nearly enough help on the glass, and San Antonio was out-rebounded 69-46.

San Antonio’s Key Struggles:

Outscored 67-32 in the final 21.5 minutes
Shot just 33 percent in the second half
Allowed 22 second-chance points

The Spurs had a 17-point lead early in the third quarter, but completely collapsed down the stretch.

If they want to avoid another blowout, they’ll need better shooting and a stronger rebounding effort.

What’s at Stake?

For the Pelicans:

Win consecutive games for the first time in February
Keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race
Continue building chemistry with Kelly Olynyk in the lineup

For the Spurs:

Avoid back-to-back collapses against the same opponent
Find a way to compete on the boards without Wembanyama
Snap a four-game losing streak

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Prediction: Can the Spurs Adjust?

San Antonio’s early lead on Sunday showed they can compete, but their rebounding struggles and second-half meltdown were major red flags.

Without Wembanyama, and potentially without Charles Bassey, San Antonio’s interior defense remains vulnerable.

If New Orleans attacks the paint and controls the glass again, they should pull away for another comfortable win.

New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs Picks and Predictions February 25th 2025