The Pelicans (2-11) were the first team this season to led the Spurs after three quarters and the third team to beat them, riding 30 points from Ryan Anderson and 20 points and 18 rebounds from Davis, who returned after a two-game absence with a left shoulder injury. Aldridge turned in a second straight double-double Friday, totaling 20 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes.
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New Orleans Pelicans point guard Ish Smith doesn’t have a name plate in front of his locker at the Smoothie King Center like his teammates.
Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points for San Antonio, which lost for only the third time this season and had its six-game winning streak snapped. New Orleans hit six of its first eight shots from the field in the quarter, then put things away with a 10-2 run late in the game on four consecutive baskets, including three-pointers by Smith and Eric Gordon.
“Basketball is a game of plays”, said Davis, who scored 16 second-half points.
Wizards forward Martell Webster is expected to miss the entire season after having surgery on his right hip. “Come on, it’s Tim Duncan“. But, as had been the case all night, the Spurs weren’t able to make a stop and the Pels quickly answered with a three from, who else, Ryan Anderson. He had 17 points and 13 assists and helped keep the Spurs at bay, particularly in the final quarter. “I told the guys this is something we’ve got to build on”. Guard Patty Mills hit two 3-pointers in the quarter. Unfortunately for the good guys, this was going to be the high point of the game for them, as LaMarcus Aldridge tripped over Alonzo Gee’s foot as he was backpedaling on defense and tweaked his ankle.
“We gave up too much penetration”, Spurs forward Davis West said.
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Anderson said it was fun to get so many open looks on the perimeter because he hasn’t gotten many this year. “He’s played for a long time”, Anderson said. G Tyreke Evans (knee) is on track to return by early December…. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said his starting lineup has played 27 minutes together this season. They couldn’t quite pull out a win, but maybe Asik and Davis can tip the scale a little bit in tonight’s matchup should they both return.
