The San Antonio Spurs are coming off back-to-back losses as they sit dead last in the Western Conference and they will be looking to play spoiler when they head to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in this Friday night showdown. This game will continue our NBA odds series as we hand out a Spurs-Pelicans prediction and pick.

San Antonio (18-58) faces a monumental challenge Friday night as they visit the surging New Orleans Pelicans. The young Spurs, led by the potential of Victor Wembanyama, look to gain valuable experience against a playoff-contending Pelicans squad with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram spearheading their attack. New Orleans, fighting for seeding, needs this win. Can the Spurs pull off a stunning upset, or will the Pelicans' firepower and home-court advantage prove too much?

New Orleans (45-31) host the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs on Friday night in a clash of contrasting trajectories. Led by Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans aim to solidify their playoff position with a dominant performance at home. The Spurs, focused on developing their young core including Victor Wembanyama, hope to snag a surprising road win. While the Pelicans are heavily favored, the Spurs' youthful energy could spark a competitive showing. Can New Orleans overwhelm with their offensive firepower, or will San Antonio find a way to keep it close?

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Odds: Spurs-Pelicans Odds

San Antonio Spurs: +10.5 (-110)

Moneyline: +420

New Orleans Pelicans: -10.5 (-110)

Moneyline: -560

Over: 221.5 (-110)

Under: 221.5 (-110)

How to Watch Spurs vs. Pelicans

Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

TV: NBA League Pass

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Spurs Could Cover The Spread/Win

The San Antonio Spurs head into their Friday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans as massive underdogs, but that doesn't mean an upset is out of the question. A Spurs victory, while improbable, could be brewing in the Smoothie King Center.

The Spurs have nothing to lose and everything to gain. As a rebuilding team focused on developing young talent, every game is a learning experience. Playing spoiler against a playoff-contending team like the Pelicans presents an opportunity for the Spurs' youth, especially Victor Wembanyama, to shine on a big stage. This fearlessness and desire to prove themselves can unsettle a favored opponent.

The Pelicans may underestimate the fight in these young Spurs. Complacency can be a dangerous trap for good teams, and if New Orleans views San Antonio as an easy win, they could be in trouble. The Spurs' hustle, especially on the boards and in transition, could create second-chance opportunities and fast-break points.

The Spurs have potential matchup advantages. While Zion Williamson is a force of nature, the Spurs' big man rotation might be able to slow him down, at least partially. Zach Collins' length could make Williamson work for every basket. Additionally, New Orleans' perimeter defense can be vulnerable, which could open up opportunities for Spurs guards like Tre Jones and Devin Vassell to get hot to get the big upset victory.

Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread/Win

The New Orleans Pelicans are poised for a decisive victory when they host the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. The Pelicans, fighting for playoff seeding in the Western Conference, have several advantages that point towards a comfortable win at the Smoothie King Center.

The Pelicans' dominance lies in their dynamic offensive duo, Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum Williamson is a nearly unstoppable force in the paint, combining brute strength with surprising agility. Ingram provides a smooth scoring touch from the perimeter and mid-range, capable of creating his own shot or facilitating for others. The Spurs, with a young and less experienced frontcourt, will struggle to contain these two offensive weapons.

Beyond their star power, the Pelicans possess a deeper and more balanced roster. Trey Murphy provides a scoring punch, while Jonas Valanciunas offers rebounding and interior presence. Role players like Herb Jones and Larry Nance Jr. bring defensive intensity and timely contributions. These multi-faceted options give New Orleans the firepower to overwhelm the Spurs on both ends of the floor.

The Pelicans will be playing with a sense of urgency in this matchup. They cannot afford a slip-up against a rebuilding team if they want to secure a favorable playoff position. Expect them to come out focused and determined, setting the tone early and never letting the Spurs gain a foothold in the game.

While the Spurs boast promising young talent like Victor Wembanyama, they are simply overmatched in this contest. Their lack of experience and depth will be exposed against a hungry Pelicans squad. The home-court advantage at the Smoothie King Center should further energize New Orleans and put immense pressure on the young Spurs to get themselves back on track and gain some momentum heading into the playoffs.

Final Spurs-Pelicans Prediction & Pick

This is a matchup of two teams with completely different outcomes this season. The Spurs are playing for some valuable experience and the Pelicans Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Pelicans should cruise to victory on Friday night. Their combination of star talent, depth, and motivation creates a formidable hurdle for the Spurs to overcome. Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and company should get back on track and gain some much-needed momentum going into the playoffs, however, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs keep it close to cover the double-digit spread.

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Final Spurs-Pelicans Prediction & Pick: San Antonio Spurs +10.5 – (-110), Under 221.5 (-110)