In the previous offseason, after learning that the Holy City Spurs had acquired Wembanyama, almost everyone in the league thought that they would be the most important force to be reckoned with in the next new season. But I never expected that the Spurs did not play as expected. Despite his enviable talent, Wembanyama has not been able to maintain a consistent output. As a result, they have only a 3-15 record so far this season, placing them in the bottom of the West. Moreover, they are still in the midst of a 13-game losing streak.
In this game, Popovich took the team to New Orleans again, and challenged the Pelicans located there away. It is undeniable that the Pelicans have ushered in the return of Zion, and the overall competitiveness has indeed been greatly improved. But judging from their form in the past period, it is still difficult for the Pelicans to enter the ranks of the league's powerhouses. This time the home team accepted the challenge of the Spurs, and the Pelicans did not give the opponent a chance, and won the game with a total score of 121-106.
In the first half of the game, although the Pelicans at home encountered stubborn resistance from the Spurs, they still got the initiative to lead the score. In the first quarter of the game, starting center Valanciunas was in a very hot state, shooting 4 of 5, 2 of 2 free throws, and delivered 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal, and Jones also had 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal, successfully helping the team to play a 32-31 score. Entering the second quarter of the matchup, the Pelicans were able to take advantage of the situation and continue to play a 31-30 score, refusing to give the Spurs a chance to fight back.
The Pelicans, who continue to maintain their hot form, can continue to widen the point difference. In the third quarter, they once again played a multi-point high-rise state, and with a score of 26-20, the difference between the two sides was extended to 8 points. In the final quarter of the decisive game, the Spurs finally chose to admit defeat early and send rotation players to consume the remaining game time. In the end, the four quarters of regular time were over, and the Pelicans continued to play a 32-25 score and won the game with an overall score of 121-106.
Looking back at the game, Spurs' overall performance was actually pretty good. Eight of their players scored in double figures, playing team basketball. But unfortunately, the players who scored double-doubles in the team were not very efficient, and there were no players who sent explosive data. Therefore, in the final quarter of the decisive game, Popovich could only choose to admit defeat early and arrange for the rotation players to consume the remaining garbage time. After losing this game, Spurs also fell into the dilemma of 14 consecutive defeats, and the future development is bleak.
On the other hand, the Pelicans, who won at home, also had seven players in double digits, and the starting core performed very well. Ingram, Zion, and McCollum haven't had a big outbreak yet. Among them, Ingram delivered 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, Zion had 12 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists, and McCollum delivered 19 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists. Or the starting center Valanciunas, in the field of 30In five minutes, he shot 9-of-12 from the field and delivered a luxurious double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds.