Spurs at Pelicans
The San Antonio Spurs have clinched a postseason berth for the 19th
consecutive season and seek their seventh straight victory when they
visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. San Antonio sewed up a
playoff spot with a 97-81 home victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday
to join the Golden State Warriors as the only teams to punch a ticket
to this season's postseason.
The Spurs' streak of playoff appearances is tied for fourth-most in NBA history with the Boston Celtics (1951-69) and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge didn't know his team clinched a berth until told by reporters. "It's something that's not been talked about in our locker room and I haven't really been paying attention because I try to stay locked in to what we are doing," Aldridge said after the win. "It's not about (the milestones). We have a bigger picture in mind and the guys are focused on that." New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry declared that his squad is no longer in the Western Conference playoff race after dropping a 100-95 decision to eighth-place Houston to fall six games behind the Rockets. "We come out here after every game and we talk about that we're still in the playoff race. 'No we're not, OK?'" Gentry told reporters after Wednesday's game. "What we are is a team that when we have an opportunity to do something, we didn't get it done. So that is the bottom line."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE SPURS (51-9): All-Star forwards Kawhi Leonard (27 points) and Aldridge (23) each had big outings against the Pistons and Leonard is in the midst of a three-game scoring spree. Leonard is averaging 27.7 points and shooting 62 percent from the field during the stretch and has eight 20-point performances in his last 10 games. Aldridge is averaging 24.5 points and 13 rebounds over the past two contests and has notched double-doubles in three of the past five games.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (23-36): Gentry's ire was understandable as New Orleans viewed the Houston game as a must-win affair if it were to make a late postseason push. The Pelicans held a six-point lead with four-plus minutes remaining before disintegrating on a night in which they committed 22 turnovers and All-Star power forward Anthony Davis struggled to 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Small forward Ryan Anderson looks to rebound from a 5-of-20 shooting night - he had 14 points - after averaging 28.5 points over the previous two contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans have won four of the past six meetings after splitting two encounters this season.
2. New Orleans F Dante Cunningham (knee) could sit out after being injured against the Rockets.
3. San Antonio backup SG Manu Ginobili (testicular surgery) participated in Wednesday's pregame shootaround and is expected to return to action next week.