The mission did not look impossible for New Orleans. It was still necessary to ensure the blow against the penultimate of the Eastern Conference in the absence of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Fortunately for them, the Pelicans have in CJ McCollum another outstanding attacker who has raised his level of play to ensure in front of the Spurs.
As expected, the Pelicans quickly took over in order to put an end to the suspense as quickly as possible. The first quarter was thus a model of domination with a 12-2 entry marked by three 3-point missiles from CJ McCollum (12-2). Trey Murphy III took over before giving way to the “Alvarado show”, the Puerto Rican leader multiplying the brilliant shots, scoring, passing and in his favorite register, stolen balls!
After a one-sided first act, the locals then led by 20 points, without the Spurs being able to respond (37-17). However, the Spurs managed to level the playing field in the next two quarters, relying on the Jones-Richardson-Sochan trio before the break (65-46), then Jakob Poeltl and Devin Vassell without forgetting the Johnson- Collins at the end of the third quarter (94-75).
Then, when we no longer expected it, San Antonio attacked the last act with a 10-0 with Stanley Johnson still in tune and a welcome 3-pointer from Doug McDermott (94-85). The Pelicans could have flinched, but CJ McCollum pulled out all the stops again with a 10-point streak, namely three 3-point missiles, one of which was faulty! What to go back to +17 and see coming with serenity (106-89), especially since the old blazer was there to push the Texans at the slightest attempt to return.
Jose Alvarado from afar and Jaxson Hayes in the dunk put an end to this meeting won 126-117 by New Orleans.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– End of series for the Pelicans. The series of four defeats that came to hit New Orleans had almost undermined the great start to the season made by Willie Green’s men. What was at stake in this match was therefore far from trivial since it allowed the Louisiana franchise to catch up with the two leaders of the Western Conference, Denver and Memphis, with 19 victories.
– The heart of Spurs. How many teams would have dropped at -20 after 12 minutes? If they left the Smoothie King Center with another defeat, the Spurs showed character by leveling the game in the third quarter and winning the other two! Better, they even returned to -8 four minutes from the end, until the fireworks of CJ McCollum.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ CJ McCollum. A playoff game for him since he started with a bang with three 3-point missiles and he gave the cover in the last act with a 10-point sequence. A constant benchmark on which New Orleans was able to rest. A match that will do him a lot of good, his best of the season…
✅ Jeremy Sochan. Difficult to find positive points concerning Jeremy Sochan since the resumption, beyond a still badly contained aggressiveness and percentages of success which suggested more skill for hair dyes than for shooting. It must however be recognized that he still fought well last night, and that he was rewarded with 23 points (including 12 in the second quarter), 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Clearly his best game since the start of the season.
✅ The Jones-Murphy III pair. Because the two complementary players are going to have a big role in whether or not the Pelicans succeed this season. Last night, they shone in their role and allowed the locals to diversify their offensive threat. 12 points for Herb Jones, 15 for Trey Murphy III but a contribution that goes well beyond the lines of stats.
⛔️Devin Vasell. Second top scorer for Spurs behind Keldon Johsnon (injured), the back struggled with his shot all evening to finish at 4/13 including 1/6 from 3-pointers. San Antonio also could not count on its regular shooter, Doug McDermott, 1/5 behind the arc for his part.
THE FOLLOWING
New Orleans (19-12): “back-to-back” for the Pelicans who travel to OKC tonight (2:00 a.m.).
San Antonio (10-21): the Spurs also play again tonight, near Orlando (01:00).
