New Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs Preview and Pick

NBA Betting Preview
New Orleans Hornets (31-31) at San Antonio Spurs (34-24)
Friday March 5th, 9:30PM Eastern

Betus.com betting line – Spurs -8, 197 ½ O/U

The San Antonio Spurs host the New Orleans Hornets in a Friday night showdown amongst contenders from the Southwest division. The Spurs trail the Mavericks by 5 games in the division and come into the game after a brutal road stretch that involved 10 of their last 12 games. The Spurs knocked off the Hornets earlier in the week 106-92 as George Hill led the team with 23 points. If you buy-in to the revenge factor here, many may like the Hornets plus the additional points from the betting lines. However, the Spurs own a 21-10 record on their home court and handled the Hornets fairly easily in their last meeting in San Antonio back in the opener with a 113-96 victory. The Spurs have swept all 3 meetings this year, but the Hornets will attempt to get revenge in the final meeting of the season.

The key to the Spurs’ success against the Hornets this season has evolved around the play of their defense. The Spurs have yet to allow the Hornets to reach the century mark and New Orleans is just shooting right above the 40% mark from the floor in the last 3 meetings combined. Of course it helps when you get support from the offensive side of the floor as well. San Antonio shot 50.4% from the floor as a team on Monday night. Hill as previously mentioned led the team with a breakout type performance for 23 points. Tim Duncan added 22 points while pulling down 9 rebounds which is pretty modest numbers considering the damage he has inflicted on the Hornets in the past. Tony Parker also scored an additional 18 points while shooting 60% from the floor. The Spurs will turn to their same leaders again when they take the floor tonight and once again defense will be the key to their success.

When you like at what the Hornets have done on paper against the Spurs, it does not seem that bad. In the last meeting, the Hornets out rebounded the Spurs while also committing less turnovers. However, the Hornets have just not been able to put together an all-around strong shooting performance against San Antonio. Having Chris Paul out of the lineup has definitely hurt them in recent weeks especially on the offense end of the court, but someone is going to have to step up or New Orleans chances of the postseason will be gone. Guard Marcus Thornton was the surprise factor for the Hornets on Monday draining 30 points including a ridiculous 6 for 7 shooting from behind the arc. Thornton’s 30 points was exactly the big night they needed for the offense to get over the hump. However, Peja Stojakovic and David West both had sub par performances as they combined for just 24 points total.

Center Emeka Okafor added 18 points inside the paint while pulling down 7 rebounds. Okafor definitely has the potential to make a difference on the inside. However, Okafor defensive ability really needs to be at its best against Duncan on Friday as there has been no answer for stopping Duncan in previous meetings. The Hornets have definitely not been a road betting team going a dismal 11-20 on the road while also dropping their last 4 straight road games. However, there has to be a sense of urgency here and for New Orleans time is running out after dropping 5 of their last 6 games. The 4th quarter was really a let down on Friday night as the Spurs pulled away which is reminiscent of previous meetings. If the offense can put together a better effort for 4 quarters, the Hornets may be a team worth considering in this spot.

Pick – Taking the Hornets and the points is risky, so I’d rather take the under which is a safer bet. Take under 197 ½