New Orleans Pelicans Awards: Pelicans blow second straight late game lead against San Antonio Spurs

The New Orleans Pelicans blew their second late-game lead in as many days as they lose another tough game, this time to the San Antonio Spurs.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the New Orleans Pelicans held a seven point lead on the San Antonio Spurs.

It didn’t last. The Spurs finished the game on a 20-7 run to outlast the Pelicans in New Orleans.

The Pelicans held their own for a wide majority of the game, led by strong shooting from the floor and a massive defensive effort against the highly efficient Spurs. However, the combo of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge destroyed the Pelicans in the final six minutes, scoring 17 of San Antonio’s 20 points in the final stretch of the game. New Orleans had no answer. Leonard finished with 30 points, while Aldridge ended the contest with 26.

Anthony Davis finished the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Gordon led the team in scoring with 23 points on 9-19 shooting and three 3-pointers.

MVP: Anthony Davis

While Eric Gordon returned with authority in tonight’s game, Anthony Davis continued to look solid. Davis finished the game with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals and two blocks against the super-talented bigs of the Spurs. Davis even left the game with a minor injury he returned from, but he made strong moves all night to help keep his team in it. His rebounding against a team that dominated that part of the game helped keep his team in it. He shot over 50% on the night and made his moves to the basket worthwhile. He made moves tonight when the team needed him most. Sure, it wasn’t enough for the win, but it was clear once again who was the star of the team. When you have his talent, it’s not hard. His leadership almost won the Pelicans this massive game. Almost.

LVP: Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson did not have a good game at home, which is a little surprising at home of late. Anderson shot just 3-10 from the field for eight points on the night. He only added on four rebounds. The Spurs depth really hurt Ryan Anderson, along with the role he was asked to take on due to injuries to the bigs. Kendrick Perkins was the only healthy center in the game, so when Anthony Davis got hurt earlier in the game, Anderson was asked to play center. That’s not a role he can play well. San Antonio also had a plethora of bigs like Boris Diaw and David West that can effectively guard outside shooters and contest shots. That hurt Anderson all night, leading to a rough performance. 

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X-Factor: The Spurs size halting the Pelicans offense

The New Orleans Pelicans clearly missed their injured bigs in tonight’s contest. The San Antonio Spurs outrebounded the Pelicans 49-41 in the contest. The size was a much bigger problem when New Orleans tried to get quality looks. The Pelicans had ten of their shots blocked in tonight’s contest from seven different players on the Spurs. It wasn’t just a few players, it was a collective effort. San Antonio stayed aggressive all night and stood tall on bad drives to the basket and weak shots from the Pelicans guards. They took advantage and got good transition looks from each of their rejections, leading to plenty of points that pushed New Orleans back. It was massive late in the game as Eric Gordon was blocked multiple times in a close battle.

Turning Point: The Spurs execute. The Pelicans do not.

The game was tied with just over two minutes to go in the contest. And while Eric Gordon was solid tonight, he hurt the team a ton at the end of the game. It started with Gordon taking a bad shot that ended up being block for Tim Duncan. Aldridge then scored an easy bucket. The following possession ended with Duncan blocking yet another Gordon shot attempt, this time a layup. The Spurs got a three-pointer to go from that possession. After a timeout to try and recover, Eric Gordon took yet another shot, this time a three-pointer. It was a decent shot, yet it didn’t go. When it came down to who won this game, it was simple. The Spurs executed while New Orleans did not.

Defining Moment: Patty Mills dagger

Only down two with 1:20 left in the game, the New Orleans Pelicans desperately needed a stop. Right as the play began, the Pelicans over-helped on the drive and left Spurs backup guard Patty Mills wide open outside for a three-pointer off a great pass. The Spurs don’t miss those shots, and Mills drilled it to multiply the lead to five. With how the Pelicans failed to play offense late in this game, that was a dagger, even with over a minute to go. The energy left the arena and fans were devastated with another loss.

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That was……..another dose of frustration.

Alvin Gentry‘s heart has to be going through some tough spells right now. The second straight day the Pelicans had a massive game for their playoff hopes in their hands. The second straight game this team outplayed a team with more talent. And yet the second straight time they failed to execute late and blew a big opportunity. Gotta be infuriating.

The New Orleans Pelicans will look to recover from their tough spells Saturday night as they play the Utah Jazz. Tip is scheduled for 6:00 PM CST.