Pelicans (11-7), Spurs (6-13)
Zion Williamson caused significant paint damage, Devonte’ Graham bombarded outside shots and Jonas Valanciunas did a bit of both on Wednesday, leading New Orleans to a one-sided road win at San Antonio. The Pelicans handled business quickly before returning to Crescent City for the Thanksgiving festivities, advancing by double digits in the first quarter and building a 66-47 halftime advantage. New Orleans surpassed the 100-point mark late in the third period, notching a second straight victory over a Western Conference opponent. Williamson had 30 of his 32 points through the first three quarters, while Graham drilled five three-pointers in the first half and finished with six treys among his 21 points. Valanciunas added four long balls, scoring 17 points in the first half and finishing with 22.
Jose Alvarado swept a three-pointer from right wing to give New Orleans a 110-87 lead, its biggest of the night at this point, with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation time. The Pelicans put him aside by scoring six of the first eight points in the fourth quarter.
GAME PLAYER PELICANS
Williamson was a force to be reckoned with from the jump, scoring progressively more each period, with eight, nine and 13 in the first three quarters, before sitting out for much of the fourth. He was a draping machine, spinning around San Antonio defenders out of post-ups, or dribbling in and around Spurs from 18 to 20 feet and rising to the edge.
11: Consecutive shots from the field by Williamson in the last three quarters.
14/33: Three-point shooting from New Orleans, continuing a recent trend of this category being a big plus for the Pelicans on a regular basis.