The New Orleans Pelicans picked up a 98-95 win in their home opener against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday night.
After a dismal first quarter that saw the Pelicans shoot just 24 percent, New Orleans used a small run late in the second to take a 47-45 lead at half time.
The stretched their lead to as large as 15 in the third quarter but the Spurs narrowed the gap in the fourth and tied the game in the fourth.
The Pelicans were able to hang on and secure their second victory of the season when Eric Bledsoe blocked DeMar DeRozan’s game-tying three-point attempt.
“These are my favorite kinds of wins,” Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Not that I want to shoot like that every night but to shoot 38 percent and 20 percent from three and be able to get a win against a good team, to me ,is a great way to win.
“Every team in this league can beat any team on their best night, the good teams have to be able to win on less than their best night and we did it by the things we’ve been talking about since Day 1.”
Van Gundy pointed to the Pelicans’ only committing eight turnovers, out rebounding the Spurs 13-4 on the offensive glass and only sending San Antonio to the free throw line eight times.
Reigning most improved player Brandon Ingram had a game-high 28 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists for New Orleans.
The Pelicans also logged 11 steals with Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball each login five.
Forward Josh Hart contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds on the bench for New Orleans.
