NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans saw a double-digit lead slip away in a 111-109 loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Friday night inside the Smoothie King Center.
The defeat was the fourth straight for the Pelicans, and their fifth in their last six games.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
New Orleans’ CJ McCollum got things going with a three-pointer and then Herb Jones followed that with a driving bank shot. San Antonio responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead but New Orleans quickly tied it up with a turnaround hook shot by Jonas Valanciunas.
After a pair of free throws by Victor Wembanyama, the Pelicans retook the lead on a three-pointer by Dyson Daniels which sparked a 14-5 run. With 3:37 left in the first, New Orleans held a 21-14 lead.
San Antonio managed to climb back into the game in the second quarter and after a putback by Sandro Mamukelashvili, had cut the lead to three points but New Orleans answered. McCollum made a diving layup, Larry Nance Jr. had a putback dunk and Trey Murphy III hit a driving floater.
At the break, New Orleans led 61-51.
San Antonio fought back again in the third quarter. After an and-one from Julian Champagne, the Spurs trailed 80-78. New Orleans responded with a Daniels jumper and a Nance Jr. dunk. Spurs quickly made it a three-point game after a three-pointer by Devonte’ Graham and then closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating three by Graham.
The game was tied 86-86 at the end of the third.
San Antonio took control early in the fourth and led by three before New Orleans quickly tied it back up. The Spurs then retook the lead minutes later after Malaki Branham hit a three-pointer, then a Champagne alley-oop dunk and a turnaround by Zach Collins. With less than five minutes to go, the Spurs led 102-97.
After a three by Wembyana made it 105-99, McCollum responded with a three of his own. A few moments later, Valanciunas made two free throws to make it 107-106 and then grabbed the defensive rebound off a Graham miss. Herb Jones then drove in the lane but his shot was blocked.
Graham was fouled and made both to make it a 109-106 game with 10.3 seconds left. The Pelicans brought the ball down the court for the game-tying shot but Jones had the ball stolen by Graham. Wembyana hit both free throws to seal the victory for the Spurs.
BIG NUMBER: 17
San Antonio went 17-of-46 from beyond three-point range, and had seven different players drain three-point shots in the victory. Former Pelican Devonte Graham had a team-high four three pointers for the Spurs.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: CJ MCCOLLUM & JONAS VALACIUNAS
McCollum set the tone early and often as he paced the Pelicans with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Valaciunas was a force down low as he scored 26 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had seven assists. It was his first 20-point game since February 22nd.
UP NEXT: New Orleans (45-32) begins a four-game road trip at Phoenix on Sunday. Tip is set for 5 p.m.