NBA 2018-19: 3 Things we learned from Pelicans defeating the Spurs

Sacramento Kings v New Orleans Pelicans

Final Score: Pelicans defeat Spurs, 140-126

Just one night after beating a struggling Golden State Warriors team at the AT&T Center without Stephen Curry or Draymond Green, the San Antonio Spurs then found themselves coming up against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans, in contrast were coming off five wins in their last six games boosting their record to nine wins and seven losses.

The Spurs entered yet another game without usual starters, Pau Gasol and Dejounte Murray, while New Orleans had as close to a fully fit side as they could ask for, as they took down San Antonio 140-126.

Surprise scorers Bryn Forbes and Dante Cunnigham put on a show in the first term for the Spurs leading them to a 39-30 lead at the first break. Unfortunately for the Spurs, it was all downhill from there as the Pelicans went on to win the next three quarters and take home a 14 point victory.

Here are three things we can take away from this contest of two teams who should be aiming to battle for playoff positions, come the end of the regular season.

#1 The San Antonio Spurs are unimpressive on the road

The San Antonio Spurs are currently playing .500 basketball. After 16 games of their season, their record lies at eight wins and eight losses. For many, to begin a season after losing a player of Kawhi Leonard's capability, winning half your games would be somewhat of a success.

The current issue for the Spurs is that their .500 record is only the 11th best in the Western Conference and perhaps even more concerning is that they have only won two road games so far for the season.

These two away wins have come against a fairly poor Phoenix Suns team with a 30 point win and the 143-142 overtime win at Staples Centre against the Lakers which very well could have been a loss had Lebron been able to hit a couple of clutch free throws.

Defence has been a big issue for the Spurs this year, especially away from home. They have failed to find the right players to feel the shoes of their top perimeter defenders from last season in, Dejounte Murray, Kyle Anderson and Danny Green and they are paying the price on that side of the court.

Popovich needs to find a way to lift this teams away form, otherwise his 21 season playoff streak will most likely come to an end this season.

#2 The Lakers should have trusted Julius Randle

The Lakers may have prematurely allowed Julius Randle to walk away for nothing in free agency at the start of this season, allowing the Pelicans to swoop in and purchase his talents on a two year $18 million contract.

While at the time it seemed as though the Lakers were forced to allow Randle to walk in order to sign two free agents to a max deal, the Lakers failed to bring another star to Los Angeles as the likes of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard signed elsewhere.

Randle put in a great performance in 25 minutes of basketball securing his first triple-double of the season with a 21 point, 14 rebounds and 10 assist performance with zero turnovers as he helped lead the Pelicans to a 14 point victory.

The 23-year-old is no doubt a great potential talent and while it would have been necessary to let Randle go in order to free up cap space, looking back, if they had resigned him they would most definitely have a better team this season as they have struggled with depth at the center position and more so, would have yet another great trading piece to entice other franchises in trading for the second star that they desperately need.

#1 Smoothie King Center is becoming a fortress

The Pelicans have now improved to an eight win, one loss record on their home court, the Smoothie King Center this season and are showing that they will be a consistent force this season in the NBA.

Anthony Davis' 29 points, leaving him six points off reaching 10,000 career points, ensured the Pelicans cap off a sweep of a three-game home stand in which they averaged a massive 131 points across the three victories.

The Pelicans have averaged an eleven point victory margin in their eight wins at home this season and are continuously showing how hard they are to defend with Anthony Davis leading the line with 27.6 points per game so far.

If the Pelicans can continue this great home form throughout the season, and secure home-court advantage for the first round of the playoff they have a good chance of going deep into the season and bettering the run they had last time out.