The Spurs fought hard in the second half, but there was simply a real gap in strength between the two teams, and the Pelicans were also in good form.
By the end of the third quarter, the gap had approached 30 points, and the final quarter became Garbage Time.
In the end, the Pelicans defeated the Spurs 113-88 and claimed an Opening Victory in the Playoffs.
Only three Spurs players scored in double digits: Aldridge had 24 points and 7 rebounds, Gay had 16 points and 6 rebounds, and Ginobili had 15 points and 3 assists.
For the Pelicans, the Four Brothers of Hard Work, Garros and Siakam, both scored in double digits, while Tang Tian put up a team-high 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in three quarters.
After the game, the two teams held their Handshake Ceremony.
"You're still the same as before. You have no respect for the old or concern for the young."
Even after losing, Popovich still threw out a playful jab.
But that was only because it was Tang Tian. If it had been anyone else, he would have cursed them out long ago.
"You're still the same too, old man. Always trying to fool people."
Tang Tian replied as well.
The two looked at each other and could not help but laugh.
Their friendship had long since transcended the game itself.
The Pelicans' easy win over the Spurs was largely within outside expectations.
An 80 Wins team with a four-star roster was not realistically going to suffer a Black Eight Upset.
But compared with the Pelicans, many of the other first-round matchups produced unexpected results.
At the same time, the Rockets hosted the Trail Blazers, and the Trail Blazers pulled off an upset victory, winning 120-115!
The two teams had faced each