The San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans are gearing up for a compelling Western Conference matchup on Sunday evening. The Spurs enter the contest with momentum, having secured four victories in their last five outings and eyeing a complete season sweep over the Pelicans. This encounter highlights a notable disparity in their current Western Conference standings.
San Antonio has demonstrated a clear dominance over New Orleans this season, clinching all three prior games. Their victories include a 120-116 overtime win on the road on October 24th, a 126-119 home triumph on November 8th, and a narrow 135-132 win in New Orleans a month later. Each of these games was tightly contested, underscoring the competitive nature of their rivalry despite the current standings gap.
The Spurs recently split a two-game road trip, culminating in an impressive 126-109 victory against the Utah Jazz. De'Aaron Fox was instrumental in this win, sinking four crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter en route to a game-high 31 points. Victor Wembanyama also delivered a stellar performance with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson commended the team's defensive intensity, particularly in the closing stages of the game, highlighting their strong finish.
Keldon Johnson contributed 21 points off the bench, while Stephon Castle added 16 points and eight assists. The San Antonio Spurs currently hold the second-best record in the Western Conference, a stark contrast to the New Orleans Pelicans, who find themselves at the bottom of the conference standings. Coach Johnson particularly praised Fox's leadership and clutch plays, emphasizing his critical role as the team's primary option in high-pressure situations.
The New Orleans Pelicans arrive in San Antonio following a hard-fought 133-127 road victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This win was significant for the Pelicans, as it ended a three-game losing streak, marked only their fourth road victory of the season, and broke a six-game losing streak against the Grizzlies. Saddiq Bey was the star of the night, scoring 19 of his season-high 36 points in the final period, spearheading a rally from an eight-point deficit.
Bey's exceptional performance saw him score 14 points within a three-minute span, transforming a three-point deficit into a three-point lead with just over four minutes remaining. His timely corner three-pointer with 58 seconds left sealed the Pelicans' 128-123 advantage, allowing them to hold on for the win. Trey Murphy III also contributed significantly with 32 points, Zion Williamson posted 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Jeremiah Fears added 12 points off the bench. The return of Herb Jones, who missed 15 of the last 16 games due to an ankle sprain, provided a much-needed defensive boost, energizing the team over his 25 minutes on the court.
Pelicans coach James Borrego lauded his team's collective effort, particularly their aggressive defense in the fourth quarter, describing it as the 'blueprint' for their success. He emphasized the physicality and energy displayed by his squad, acknowledging that sustained effort is crucial for their performance moving forward. This Sunday's game promises an intriguing battle between a high-flying Spurs team and a Pelicans squad looking to build on their recent resurgence.