Tip-off: 4/13/2022 – 9:30pm EST
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Season Meetings
3/26/2022: Spurs: 107 – Pelicans: 103
3/18/2022: Pelicans: 124 – Spurs: 91
2/12/2022: Spurs: 124 – Pelicans: 114
2/12/2021: Spurs: 112 – Pelicans: 97
Starting 5 for New Orleans:
PG: C.J. McCollum
SG: Herb Jones
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Jaxson Hayes
C: Jonas Valanciunas
New Orleans Keys to The Game
Brandon Ingram’s health: Unknown is exactly how healthy Brandon Ingram is. The hamstring issue is the same injury that nagged him at the end of 2020, so recurring. His ability to attack the basket and mid-range game is vital to the success of the Pelicans.
C.J. McCollum has to be a star: While Dejounte Murray is the best all-around player on the floor, C.J. McCollum is the best scorer on the floor, averaging 22.5 points per game. He will need his full offensive repertoire for New Orleans to get the win.
Avoid a fast break game: The Pelicans can run, but they can’t run like the Spurs. The three games New Orleans dropped to San Antonio is mostly due to poor transition defense.
Starting 5 for San Antonio:
PG: Dejounte Murray
SG: Joshua Primo
SF: Devin Vassell
PF: Keldon Johnson
C: Jakob Poeltl
San Antonio Keys to The Game
Devin Vassell & Keldon Johnson: The two most important players are two of the least known players in the league. Both guys have been on an absolute heater, especially Keldon Johnson. These two guys will be the difference between the Spurs winning or losing.
Control the glass: The Spurs must win the rebounding war. The Pelicans have too much fire power for the Spurs to give them second chances.
Greg Popovich: Coach Pop needs to keep this young team loose, and out-coach his opponent. His in-game management is second to none, and it will be necessary tonight.
Prediction:
San Antonio: 121
New Orleans: 118
