2 min read • April 13, 2022
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Spurs SIC Health Score - 91.2
The Spurs fly into New Orleans with the highest recorded SIC score of the play-in tournament.
San Antonio closed the season with 3 straight losses as all-star guard Dejounte Murray (FD $10,600) missed 5 of his final 6 games with a respiratory illness.
He started and scored 17 points with 7 assists in the season finale as a tune-up for tonight’s contest. Murray recorded the third-most double-doubles among NBA guards this season with 39.
The Spurs’ biggest absence is Doug McDermott, who has not played since March 12 with a sprained ankle.
Versatile forward Zach Collins (FD $4,700) is averaging 10.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 21 minutes per game over his last 10, stepping in for McDermott around the trio of young wings Keldon Johnson (FD $7,700), Devin Vassell (FD $6,000), and Lonnie Walker IV (FD $4,500).
Pelicans SIC Health Score - 83.1
While managing the drama-filled Zion Williamson saga this season the Pelicans surged in the second half of the season.
Williamson, as expected, remains out, while All-star forward Brandon Ingram (FD $8,700) has nursed his own hamstring issue. Ingram missed 13 of the last 18 games but is listed as probable and has had 8 days off to prepare for the win-or-go-home contest.
Athletic forward Larry Nance Jr. (FD $4,000) has played nine games with New Orleans since returning from knee surgery, averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds on 55.1% shooting off the bench.
Veterans CJ McCollum ($8,500) and Jonas Valanciunas (FD $8,000) both have extensive playoff experience, but Valanciunas dealt with lingering ankle soreness over the final week of the season.
He is not listed on injury report, and before April 3 when he initially suffered the injury, the 29-year-old center averaged 18.3 points while notching 16 double-doubles over his previous 19 contests.
Injury-based Plays
Spurs +5.5 - The Spurs are the healthiest play-in team and could win this game outright, expect a close game between the two Western Conference opponents
Brandon Ingram U23.5 Points - The stud forward is just coming off a hamstring injury and will not be 100% at game-time, will likely stick with perimeter shots against a solid Spurs defense
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