(SportsNetwork.com) – The San Antonio Spurs lost a game they had no real
chance in, but hope to rebound Saturday night when they welcome the New
Orleans Pelicans to the AT&T Center.
The Spurs sat Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for rest Thursday night against the
Houston Rockets. With Tiago Splitter (calf) and Marco Belinelli (groin)
sidelined with injuries, the Rockets rolled to 6-0 with a 98-81 home victory.
“We have to have all of our parts to be at our best,” Spurs coach Gregg
Popovich said. “We have to do it as a group.”
Tony Parker scored just six points for the Spurs, who never led and trailed by
as many as 31. Cory Joseph led San Antonio with 18 points, while Kawhi Leonard
and Danny Green combined to shoot 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from the field.
Aaron Baynes posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Spurs connected on just two of their 20 3-point attempts and shot 34.4
percent (31-of-90) overall.
Duncan and Ginobili are both expected to play on Saturday, but Splitter and
Belinelli will both miss at least a few more games. Having Duncan back will be
important against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans.
The New Orleans’ big man has been dominant this season. He is tied for ninth
in the NBA in scoring (23.8), first in rebounding (13.3) and second in blocked
shots (4.0).
The Pelicans halted a two-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 100-91 home
victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Davis had 12 of his 24 points in the third and added 13 rebounds and three
blocks.
Jrue Holiday posted 16 points and nine assists, Tyreke Evans supplied 16
points and 10 rebounds and Omer Asik added 10 points and 11 boards in the
triumph.
“Big win for us. Our defense was really good tonight,” Pelicans coach Monty
Williams said.
The Pelicans, who used to go by the Hornets moniker, allowed Charlotte to
shoot a decent percentage from the field (46.3), but held them under 30
percent from long range.
The Spurs have owned this matchup of Southwest Division rivals. San Antonio
has won five straight and 11 of the last 12. The domination extends further in
Alamo City.
San Antonio has won seven in a row as the host and since the Pelicans moved to
New Orleans, and including one playoff series, the Spurs are 22-3 at home in
this matchup.
