The Last Head Pat

April 18, the final day of the NBA Regular Season.

The Pelicans and Spurs faced off in San Antonio.

Because news had come out before the game that neither team's core players would play, there were not many fans in attendance, only around sixty percent capacity.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups for both teams were introduced, just as the earlier rumors had suggested.

For the Spurs, GDP, Leonard, and Aldridge were all resting. Green was the only regular starter playing.

Besides Green, Mills and Belinelli were in the backcourt, while Diop and Baynes manned the interior.

That was a thoroughly complete rest day.

But the Pelicans were much the same. Their two core players, Tang Tian and Davis, were resting, while Holiday and Ariza would not play either.

The starting lineup featured Dinwiddie and Brin Forbes on the perimeter, Bojan and Aminu at forward, and Jokic at center.

The outcome of this game did not matter, but since the Pelicans had already broken the record, fans around the league hoped they could add another win to it.

But this was the Spurs' home court, and the Spurs fans at ATT Arena did not see it that way. A winnable game had to be won.

The game began quickly.

Jokic secured the opening possession for the Pelicans. He held the ball at the high post to organize the offense as Forbes and Bojan ran three-point plays.

The outcome did not matter, but this was not merely a formality. With the two core players out, Stevens was using games as practice.

Bojan drew extra attention and had no opportunities, but Forbes moved well off the ball and found an opening.

Jokic's pass came quickly.

Forbes was decisive after catching the ball. Without hesitation, he rose and shot.

Swish!

Confidence was