The Pelicans play their most complete game to knock off the Spurs

Entering the game, the New Orleans Pelicans had one regular season win which is why Friday’s matchup against the Spurs seemed lopsided on paper.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) battle for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, November 17, 2015.

After batting the shot toward the sideline, Davis sprang for the ball, whipping it off Aldridge’s legs just before crashing into the first row of seats. “He’s making the right plays at the right time and being aggressive, and that’s what we need”. “It’s something I’m going to tell my kids about, but I’m sure he’s going to have no problem with it. I think he’ll be just fine”. I’d love for him to put his head down and run back like the consummate professional we all thought he was going to develop into, say like the current version of Kawhi Leonard. With this being the case, you knew that we might be in store for yet another legendary in-game interview from Gregg Popovich. This pattern was repeated for most of the quarter as the Spurs were able to get shots on their end, and hit a lot of them, but on the other end, the Pelicans used the penetration from Ish Smith to get wide-open shots for their players which they sunk at an alarming rate.

The win was significant for the Pelicans – not because it came against the Spurs, who boast the NBA’s second-best record – but because Gentry said his team needed a win to show for its effort. “It helped us getting rebounds and moving the ball quickly down the floor”.

Ish Smith closed the quarter scoring the Pelicans’ final six points, and they led 48-41 at halftime.

Forward Tim Duncan saw an incredible 18-year streak snapped. That made it 89-84, and the Pelicans gradually pulled away. “They’re really a great measuring stick for what it’s like to have consistency”, Gentry said…. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said G Manu Ginobli (hip) will return for Saturday night’s home game against Memphis…. “He’s played for a long time”, Anderson said.

– Jrue Holiday had his moments, but he still very much looks like a player who is trying to find his footing with one hand tied behind his back.

NOTES: Pelicans F Anthony Davis returned after missing the last seven quarters with a left shoulder injury and C Omer Asik came back from a stomach ailment…. Anderson used the open space to advantage and sank one three-point shot after another, scoring four of them in the quarter. Holiday, who sat out Wednesday’s game as a precaution as he recovers from a right shin injury, played 24 minutes, finishing with nine points and seven assists…. Eric Gordon scored 11, including a 3 that gave the Pelicans a 100-88 lead with 2:59 remaining.