Two teams struggling at the foot of the Western Conference standings clash in New Orleans, looking to gain much-needed momentum when the West’s worst team, the New Orleans Pelicans, play the 12th-seed San Antonio Spurs on Monday morning. The game is the first consecutive match between the two teams to be hosted in New Orleans. The Pelicans snapped a 10-game skid with a victory over the Sacramento Kings last week, but any hopes of them making a resurgence were crushed, and they lost away to the Dallas Mavericks. San Antonio Spurs, which had split its two games since Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the season for a blood clot in his right shoulder, was dealt another season-defining blow with the news that legendary, long-time coach and Olympic gold medal-winning coach Gregg Popovich who suffered a stroke last November is not expected back this season. New Orleans are the marginal favorites to win the game.
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BASKETBALL: NBA Regular Season
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass; FuboTV (free)
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Date: 24.02.2025 03:00
New Orleans Pelicans
Zach Williamson’s 29 points for New Orleans was not enough to keep the Pelicans from slumping to an 11th loss in their last 12, with the Kyrie Irvin-led Mavericks handing the Pelicans a 111-103 defeat. Williamson’s tally enabled him to reach 5,000 career points in 203 games and become the third-fastest player to reach the milestone, behind Luka Dončić and LeBron James. The New Orleans Pelicans (13-43) had snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 140-133 OT victory at home over the Sacramento Kings before the All-Star break. With Williamson given a break on the night, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III each scored 18 points to lead the Pelicans as they ended the regular-season series with the Kings 1-3. The Pelicans will be without Brandon Boston, who is out due to ankle injuries and illness.
It is wild to think of the circumstances and the situations that we've been through as a team this year. But I think you guys know when situations happen in your family, that, somehow, someway brings you closer.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs (24-30) concluded their two games since the loss of superstar Victor Wembanyama with a victory and a defeat after beating the Phoenix Suns 120-109 and losing to the Detroit Pistons 126-110. Spurs visit New Orleans with two wins from six in a season that continues to befuddle the San Antonio side on and off the court. Still reeling from the loss of Wembanyama, San Antonio, which played their last two home games in Austin in an annual tradition, now have to deal with the fact that the NBA’s most successful coach with 1,390 victories may never return to the sidelines. Popovich had been out since he suffered a “mild stroke” late last year. His assistant Mitch Johnson had been promoted to head coach, delivering a 21-27 record.
Betting Odds
The New Orleans Pelicans are 1.84 favorites on Betway, with the San Antonio Spurs as 1.94 underdogs. Bet365 has Zion Williamson to score over 24.5 points at 1.86 odds and De’Aaron Fox at 1.90 to hit over 25.5. Over 249 is available at 1.886 on 1xbet, with the under at 1.968 odds. Read more here.
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