Jul 15, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Deividas Sirvydis (91) questions a call during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
- The Pelicans and Spurs close out Tuesday’s NBA Summer League slate at 7:30 pm PT/10:30 pm ET
- The Pelicans remain winless (0-2) in Summer League while the Spurs (3-2) have won three in a row
- Below, see the New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs odds, predictions, and best picks for July 16
Tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the red-hot San Antonio Spurs, winners of three straight in NBA Summer League action, face a New Orleans Pelicans group still looking for its first W of the summer.
The final game of a packed seven-game slate on Tuesday, Pelicans vs Spurs tips off at 7:30 pm PT/10:30 pm ET, and New Orleans is a sizable favorite to get its first win in the Pelicans vs Spurs odds.
New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | -3.5 (-110) | -164 | O 168.5 (-110) |
| San Antonio Spurs | +3.5 (-110) | +134 | U 168.5 (-110) |
The Pelicans are priced at -164 on the moneyline with the Spurs +134 neutral-court underdogs. The over/under is sitting at just 168.5, but it’s important to remember Summer League games are four 10-minute quarters (or 16.7% shorter than an NBA game).
Odds as of July 16 at FanDuel. Get the best NBA betting apps to wager on 2024 Summer League.
Spurs Shake Off Rough Summer League Start
San Antonio was awful in its first two Summer League games, losing 97-65 to the Hornets on July 6 and 85-59 to the Kings on July 7. But after an easy 89-67 win over Team China on July 9, a recharged Spurs group took down Blazers (83-77) on July 13 and the Hawks (79-76) on July 14. Fourth-overall pick Stephon Castle had a game-high 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting. Though the UConn product added five rebounds and four assists, but also committed five turnovers in a mixed-bag of a game.
Former Charlotte Hornet Nathan Mensah, who appeared in 25 regular-season games last year (1.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG in 12.3 MPG), added 12 points and nine rebounds in yesterday’s win over the Hawks.
Pelicans Defense Non-Existent
With another UConn product Jordan Hawkins (21.0 PPG) leading the way, New Orleans hasn’t had much trouble scoring in its first two games – averaging 80.0 PPG. But they are still winless thanks to a defense that’s allowing 86 points per game (in just 40 minutes). The Pels were torched for 25 by Minnesota’s Terrence Shannon Jr (the #27 pick in the 2024 draft) and 23 by Orlando’s Tristan da Silva (the #18 pick).
Yves Missi, New Orleans’ most-recent first-round pick, is averaging just 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game in his first two tastes of Summer League.
Pelicans vs Spurs Predictions
It’s hard to justify NOLA’s status as -164 favorites on Tuesday. Not only are they still winless, they’ve also played fewer games than the Spurs. Part of the motivation is likely that San Antonio is playing its third game in three days, but remember the games are shorter and the bench rotations are deep. I don’t see fatigue playing much of a factor.
I’m also going to bet the under on 168.5. If this game goes over that total, it will have to exceed San Antonio’s highest-scoring game to date by seven points. In their first five Summer League matchups, the Spurs haven’t finished with a game total over 162, and they’ve averaged just 155.4 PPG. The Pelicans went over 168.5 in their last game (91-86 loss to the Magic) but stayed well under in their first game (81-74 loss to the Timberwolves).
NOLA vs SAS picks:
- Spurs moneyline (+134)
- Under 168.5 (-110)
Sascha Paruk’s Summer League betting record: 1-1 (-0.09 units).
All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.
The NBA Summer League is in full swing, and on July 16th, the New Orleans Pelicans will face off against the San Antonio Spurs in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Both teams will be looking to showcase their young talent and give fans a glimpse of what they can expect in the upcoming season.
The Pelicans come into this game with high expectations, as they have one of the most promising young cores in the league. Led by Zion Williamson, the number one overall pick in this year’s draft, the Pelicans are looking to build on their success from last season and make a push for the playoffs. In addition to Williamson, the Pelicans also have talented players like Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker who will be looking to make an impact in this game.
On the other side, the Spurs are a team known for their consistency and discipline. While they may not have the same star power as the Pelicans, the Spurs always find a way to compete and play smart basketball. Players like Lonnie Walker IV and Luka Samanic will be looking to prove themselves and earn a spot on the Spurs’ roster for the upcoming season.
In terms of odds, the Pelicans are favored to win this game, given their talent and potential. However, the Spurs should not be underestimated, as they have a history of exceeding expectations and playing well as a team. It will be interesting to see how both teams match up and which players will step up and make a difference in this game.
As for picks and predictions, it’s always tough to predict the outcome of a Summer League game, as anything can happen. However, based on their talent and potential, I would give the edge to the Pelicans in this matchup. Look for Zion Williamson to have a big game and lead the Pelicans to a victory over the Spurs.
Overall, this game promises to be an exciting one for fans of both teams. It will be a great opportunity to see some of the NBA’s future stars in action and get a preview of what’s to come in the upcoming season. Make sure to tune in on July 16th to catch all the action between the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Summer League.