Davis made the free throw as well. He had not missed a shot since the opening tip!
13-10!
The Pelicans led the Spurs by 3 points!
This was the first time in the series they had gotten off to such a start!
At the end of the first quarter, the Pelicans led the Spurs 32-22, a 10-point advantage.
Not only had they not fallen behind in the first quarter, they had built a double-digit lead. This was also the Pelicans' first time doing so in the series!
Near the end of the quarter, the on-site fans cheered in unison for the home team.
They had truly seen the possibility of winning!
But when the second quarter began, Leonard checked in immediately and led the Spurs in quickly closing the score.
The Pelicans had been able to take such a big lead partly because of Davis's outstanding performance, but it also had to do with Leonard leaving the court early.
Now that Leonard was back, it was obvious that the Spurs' backbone had returned as well.
Stevens rotated his lineup early, and the two teams fell into a deadlock.
At the end of the half, the score was tied at 53.
The Spurs' overall strength was still a notch above the Pelicans'.
The advantage built in the first quarter had been erased by half-time. At this pace, it would still be very difficult for the Pelicans to win.
It would even be challenging for them to maintain the current stalemate. Leonard had excellent adjustment ability, after all, and he had not committed a single foul in the second quarter.
In the second half, the Pelicans would no longer have the chance they had in the first quarter, when Leonard was off the court.
"I believe the Spurs will be this season's