San Antonio is still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the West. They are just two games back of the struggling Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed in the West and just a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 9 spot. New Orleans is a half-game behind San Antonio, so this is an important game for both teams.

San Antonio is coming off a 119-111 win over the Utah Jazz. The win snapped a two-game Spurs losing streak. Derrick White led the Spurs with 24 points and DeMar DeRozan added 13 points. Since entering the bubble, the Spurs offense has ticked upward as they are scoring 117.2 points per 100 possession as compared to 111.8 outside the bubble.

The Pelicans are coming off a 118-107 win over the Washington Wizards. Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans output with 28 points. Brandon Ingram added 17 points while Zion Williamson did not play in this game. He is expected to play against the Spurs but he has averaged just 19 minutes a game since returning to the bubble. The Pelicans are still alive for a shot at the playoffs and need a win today if they have any chance.

The Pelicans have been very conservative with Williamson’s minutes through the first four games and rested him against the Wizards earlier this weekend. The Pelicans have struggled on the defensive end and don't seem all that interested in making the playoffs. The Spurs seem more motivated and I am going with the motivated team that is playing better and getting points.

Play on San Antonio.