Pelicans at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs attempt to match the franchise record for consecutive victories when they host the suddenly-hot New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. The Spurs rolled to a 133-102 road victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, recording their 16th straight victory to maintain a three-game edge over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans has won five straight games and will attempt to keep San Antonio from equaling the mark set by the 1995-96 squad.
The Pelicans recorded a 102-95 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday but All-Star forward Anthony Davis departed less than four minutes into the game due to an ankle injury. Davis left the venue on crutches and coach Monty Williams didn’t yet know a timetable immediately after the contest. “I know he had pain in his ankle or foot, so I got him out of the game,” Williams told reporters. San Antonio reached a season high for points in the easy win over Denver.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-40): Tyreke Evans continued his torrid play with 22 points to go with a career-best 15 assists in the victory over Utah. It marked the ninth time this month Evans has scored 20 or more points and it was his fourth double-double of the month – two being points-assists and two being of the points-rebound variety. “He does a lot of things for us on both ends of the floor and he’s been great for us,” guard Anthony Morrow said after the latest strong outing.
ABOUT THE SPURS (56-16): Guard Marco Belinelli moved into the starting lineup with Danny Green (foot) sidelined and scored 27 points against the Nuggets. Belinelli matched his season high of six 3-pointers, making four in the final 2:50 of the opening quarter to set the tone and then adding two more from behind the arc in the second quarter. “We really love to move the ball together,” Belinelli told reporters afterward. “That’s why we’re winning together right now.” Green is questionable to return against the Pelicans and Belinelli will again start if he can’t go.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. San Antonio is 3-0 against New Orleans this season and holds a 26-9 edge in home matchups.
2. Spurs PF Tim Duncan is averaging 22.7 points on 30-of-47 shooting over the past three games.
3. Pelicans SG Eric Gordon (knee) will likely miss his fifth straight game and PG Brian Roberts (knee) could sit out for the third consecutive outing.