For the first time this season, the Pelicans played well from start to finish, and they were rewarded for the effort. New Orleans biggest deficit of the game was the opening 8-0 run by San Antonio, but the Spurs failed to enjoy a lead after the first quarter.
San Antonio couldn't get anything going, but the New Orleans defense deserves the majority of the credit. The Spurs attempted more contested shots than the Pelicans, yet at a much worse conversion rate: 36.2% vs. 41.9%. San Antonio finished with only had 4 second chance points coming from just 5 offensive rebounds.