SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Pelicans 98-79 on Saturday night in their home opener.
The Spurs won their first season opener in 20 years without Tim Duncan, who retired in the offseason. San Antonio played without any of its Big Three as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both sat out to rest in the first night of back-to-back games.
San Antonio didn’t appear to miss them, as 11 players scored to help the team remain unbeaten after three games.
Patty Mills scored 18 points starting in place of Parker, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 points.
Pelicans forward Anthony Davis was held to 18 points after scoring 50 and 45 points in the first two games. Aldridge picked up three fouls in the first half as Davis’ primary defender, but still managed to hold the 6-foot-10 forward to 6-for-15 shooting in the game.
E’Twaun Moore also had 18 points for New Orleans. The Pelicans are 0-3.
Leonard added four rebounds and three assists and was 2 for 4 on 3-pointers.
The 6-foot-7 forward worked on drawing more fouls in the offseason and it continued to pay off, earning Leonard early MVP chants from the sellout crowd. He was 6 for 6 on free throws, raising his season total to 28 for 28.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Davis played 32 minutes, raising his season total to 113. Prior to the game, New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said he was not concerned about the early workload, noting Davis is 23-years-old and capable of handling big minutes.
Spurs: San Antonio has seven new players on its 15-man roster this season, including rookies Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes, Nico Laprovittola and Davis Bertans. … Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chastised Jonathan Simmons for offensive goaltending when he dunked Laprovittola’s layup as it was still on the cylinder. The veteran coach pointed to his head to signal the second-year player should be wiser. Simmons responded in the final quarter with a thunderous dunk over 7-foot-2 center Alexis Ajinca. Simmons finished with 11 points.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Host Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Spurs: At Miami on Sunday.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.