Kawhi Leonard scored 20 to lead the San Antonio Spurs in blasting the New Orleans Pelicans, 98-79, on Saturday at AT&T Center.
Kawhi Leonard scores 20, Spurs limit Grizzlies to 39 pct shooting in 106-74 Game 1 conquest: https://t.co/ohhq3L7nEh pic.twitter.com/2ZGEHi5bOv
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) April 18, 2016
Leonard also had four rebounds and three assists and connected 2 for 4 on 3-pointers, while Patty Mills added 18 points while connecting 4 out of 7 on 3-pointers.
LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in 12 points for the San Antonio Spurs while playing solid defense against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who was held to 18 points on a 6-for-15 shooting after scoring 50 and 45 in their two games of the new NBA season.
Jonathon Simmons added 11 points while Pau Gasol scored nine while grabbing eight boards and dishing out five assists. Newcomer Nicolas Laprovittola also did an admirable job for the San Antonio Spurs, finishing with seven points, four rebounds and four assists, and led the team when he was called upon, according to SB Nation.
E'Twaun Moore scored 18 for the New Orleans Pelicans.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised LaMarcus Aldridge for a "good job" and revealed that they didn't give him any help in guarding Anthony Davis as they wanted to word on individual defense. However, Gregg Popovich noted that they may not want to do that in the future.
The San Antonio Spurs led by as many as 27 points in the fourth. Coach Gregg Popovich rested Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for the game. Since Tim Duncan has already retired, the San Antonio Spurs was without any of its Big Three.
The 6-10 Davis complained that his team didn't have the usual energy they play with, weren't making shots, and have a lot of miscommunication. He noted that against a team like the San Antonio Spurs, they cannot afford to have a mental breakdown, ESPN reported. The New Orleans Pelicans had seven first half turnovers, which the San Antonio Spurs capitalized on by scoring in every miscue.
The San Antonio Spurs, who are still unbeaten, will next take on the Heat in Miami on Sunday. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans, who remain winless in the season, will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
