Pelicans vs Spurs

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without their two top leading scorers, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Can the San Antonio Spurs get a surprise win?

Lidell - Out (ACL Injury Recovery) It's just about ebbs and flows and consistently playing the right way, as well as trying to build winning habits." There's also going to be times where you're struggling with losing games, and you have to stop the bleeding. San Antonio got the job done without Keldon Johnson available, which required Devin Vassell to step up as the No .1 scoring option. [124-105 in a blowout victory](https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/san-antonio-spurs-houston-rockets-recap-devin-vassell-keldon-johnson-gregg-popovich). Spurs vs.

Find Pelicans vs. Spurs predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the December 22 NBA matchup.

As we near NBA on Christmas day we are given a lackluster slate for our Thursday viewing pleasure. Only two games in store for today with one of them being.

[Herbert Jones](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/herbert-jones) [CJ McCollum](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/cj-mccollum) [Jakob Poeltl](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/jakob-poeltl) [Jeremy Sochan](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/jeremy-sochan) [Doug McDermott](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/doug-mcdermott) [Devin Vassell](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/devin-vassell) [Tre Jones](https://www.lineups.com/nfl/player-stats/tre-jones) They are also without leading scorer Keldon Johnson, relying on young guard Devin Vassell to carry the brunt of scoring. They constantly look like they have no offensive identity, forcing scoring situations into low quality looks. While missing two top end talents would sit nicely for the under, I just can’t put my hard-earned dollars on the variables that this game now possesses. It can’t be overstated how dominant Zion has been as of late, potentially sneaking in as an early MVP candidate for one of the Western Conference’s best teams. Oddsmakers are fully confident in the Pelicans ability to handle business, opening them up to as high as -10.

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans on December 22. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

The Spurs are 5-1 ATS over those six games, while the Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in their last four outings. Vassell moved into the starting line-up in Houston on Monday and took full advantage, knocking down 10 of his 17 shots, including five 3-pointers. But, while New Orleans is well equipped to re-shuffle its rotation, Keldon Johnson’s likely absence puts a sizeable dent in the San Antonio offense. That would mean the host loses a little of its rebounding edge, but putting more shooters on the floor should at least bump up its 3-point attempts (a category where the hosts continue to struggle). McCollum](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/749/cj-mccollum) has settled into more of a point guard role than he had in Portland when sharing the backcourt with Damian Lillard. The total points line is a tough one to call given that neither team is entering with its full offensive arsenal. Valanciunas’ matchup with Jakob Poeltl, his former Toronto Raptors team-mate, will be one to watch. With Williamson, Ingram, [Jonas Valanciunas](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/1651/jonas-valanciunas) and numerous other capable scorers on this Pelicans roster, New Orleans’ biggest need was a playmaker. Ironically, that’s led to steady performances in December, with San Antonio 4-2 in its last six games. The former Trail Blazer was spectacular in a losing effort against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, finishing with 31 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. He seems to have weathered an early-season shooting slump and has scored 27 points or more in each of his last three games. His minutes could see a slight uptick too.

Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who won despite Zion Williamson being scratched from the lineup because of the NBA's health ...

His floater off the glass was the first of his 19 points in a pivotal seven-minute stretch. The Pelicans led by as many as 23 points and opened the fourth quarter with a 19-point lead. ... Forward Brandon Ingram missed his 12th straight game with his left large toe injury and reserve power forward Larry Nance missed his second straight game with a sore right Achilles tendon. ... Jakob Poeltl scored 13 points and Devin Vassell scored 10. The individual scoring outburst included four 3s — one while McCollum was fouled for a 4-point play. The Pelicans made 13 3-pointers.