The New Orleans Pelicans are seeking a third straight win. The squad is looking good, winning four out of their last five games propelled by solid defense. They defeated the Thunder 105-101 on Monday and were 2.5 point dogs in a dominating 126-108 home win against the Raptors on Wednesday despite missing key players. The Pelicans have covered in one out of their last three games.

Zion Williamson continues to shine. The 22-year-old power forward has recorded at least 23 points in three out of his last four games including a 32-point effort against the Spurs last week. Williams has posted an average of 23.1 PPG and 6.6 RPG. Brandon Ingram has missed the last few games due to a toe injury. The 25-year-old small forward is considered questionable for this one. Ingram is having another productive season, logging 20.8 PPG along with 4.7 APG. CJ McCollum has missed the last four games due to health and safety protocol. He is cleared to play but sat out on Wednesday due to conditioning. He should be ready for this one. McCollum has eclipsed 20 points in two out of his last four games and enters with an average of 18.7 PPG and 6.1 APG.

The Pelicans are a stellar 7-3 in their last ten games including a win against Golden State in that span. They have also won two out of their last three road bouts. New Orleans is one of the best offensive squads in the NBA, averaging 117.1 points, landing them fourth. They are conceding an average of 111 points, placing them 10th.

The San Antonio Spurs open a three-game homestand on Friday night. It’s been a rough season for a rebuilding squad. They have dropped nine games in a row as the defense continues to be exploited in almost every game. The Spurs lost two in a row to the Lakers last weekend followed by a 119-111 road defeat to the Thunder on Wednesday in a bout that had the Spurs as three-point dogs. They have not been able to cover the spread in eight out of their last ten clashes.

Devin Vassell is consistently producing, sinking at least 20 points in three out of his last four games including 25 on Wednesday night. The 22-year-old shooting guard had one of his best games of the season against the Pelicans last week, collecting 26 points and eight assists. Vassell has recorded an average of 20.6 PPG. Keldon Johnson scored 19 points on Wednesday. The 23-year-old small forward out of Kentucky has shot below 37% in five out of his six games and has filed an average of 20.3 PPG and 5.1 RPG. Doug McDermott scored 21 points in the loss against the Pelicans last week. The 30-year-old small forward has reported an average of 10.3 PPG and is shooting a stellar 40% from beyond the arc.

The Spurs have dropped three consecutive home games. Their last home win occurred early this month in a 111-93 decision against the Bucks. San Antonio is posting an average of 110.6 points on the season, ranking them 20th in the league. The defense is the reason behind most of the defeats. They have allowed at least 120 points in four out of their last five games and are conceding an average of 121 points, pegging them last in the NBA.