Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: San Antonio -5, Total: 200

The Spurs look to snap out of their recent funk with a home victory over the Pelicans on Wednesday.

New Orleans hosted Phoenix on Tuesday night and came away with a 110-106 victory as a two-point home favorite. They Pelicans have now won two of their past three games and have covered in all three. Meanwhile, San Antonio lost 95-87 in Memphis on Tuesday and failed to cover the spread for the third time in four games. They’ve won just two of their past nine games SU (3-6 ATS). These teams have met twice this season with New Orleans winning and covering in both matchups. Although San Antonio is 7-3 SU in this series over the past three seasons, it is just 3-7 ATS. At home, the club is 4-1 SU and 2-3 ATS when hosting in this series. On the season, the Pelicans are 8-0 ATS when playing on back-to-back nights, and they are also 23-14 ATS versus division opponents over the past three seasons. The Spurs are just 4-6 ATS in their past 10 home games, but are 25-19 ATS when playing on back-to-back nights over the past three seasons. SF John Salmons (personal) is expected to miss this game for the Pelicans, and both PG Tony Parker (hamstring) and SF Kawhi Leonard (hand) are questionable for San Antonio.

Can the Spurs close out the 2014 calendar year with a crucial victory? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 57% ATS record (82-63-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, StatFox Gary is 59% ATS (13-9) since Nov. 29 to give him a 56% ATS (25-20) in NBA Best Bets this season, while StatFox Brian is 58% ATS (14-10) in Best Bets since Nov. 29.

The Pelicans are coming off a big win over the Suns on Tuesday night with C Anthony Davis (24.4 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.0 BPG) continuing his season-long dominance. Davis finished the game with 19 points and 18 rebounds and is now averaging 25.8 PPG, 12.4 RPG and 3.2 BPG over the past five contests. Davis had 22 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a 97-90 victory over the Spurs just three days ago, and he’ll need to do more of the same in this one. Another player who has been excellent for New Orleans is PG Jrue Holiday (15.7 PPG, 7.2 APG, 1.5 SPG), who had 21 points and six assists in the victory over Phoenix and is now averaging 16.4 PPG, 8.0 APG and 2.0 SPG over the past five contests. With the Spurs thin at the point guard position due to injuries, Holiday should be in for a huge night on both ends of the floor. SG Tyreke Evans (16.7 PPG, 5.5 APG, 5.4 RPG) has also been in a groove for the Pelicans with 25.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 4.5 over the past two contests. His athleticism and ability to get to the basket should really give the Spurs trouble on Wednesday.

San Antonio is really struggling as of late and this December will be its first losing month of a season since 1999. However, the team will come into this game looking to finish 2014 on a high note, so the Pelicans will get the Spurs' best shot as long as they are healthy. PG Tony Parker (16.2 PPG, 5.2 APG) could miss this game for the Spurs, which would mean that SG Manu Ginobili (12.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.0 RPG) will take over the ball-handling duties for this team. Ginobili is averaging 12.6 PPG and 6.8 APG over the past five contests, but he really struggled against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. He played 27 minutes in that game and finished with only six points and two assists. He’ll need to be a lot better on Wednesday. PF Tim Duncan (15.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG) had just nine points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Memphis, but had 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the most recent meeting with New Orleans. Duncan's play is extremely important on both ends of the floor, and if he is not on top of his game on Wednesday, Anthony Davis will make him pay and the Spurs will have little to no chance of winning this game.