Spurs struggle early, rise up over Pelicans to win 97-90.

Sharpshooter Bryn Forbes hit a deep dagger late.

The Pelicans put a whooping on the Spurs early, going up by 8 after one quarter and leading by 11 at halftime. Leave it to the Spurs to recuperate and then retaliate, throwing down blow for blow in a brief brawl before blitzing past the home team in the Big Easy. N'awlins would fight back, including some feisty defense by Rajon Rondo on Patty Mills, but they would fall short to the Spurs, forced to watch Kawhi Leonard (23 points) drain a cold-blooded long 3PTer in isolation that all but sealed the outcome.

Preceding this was a tough matchup problem for the Spurs, pulling Rudy Gay early and swapping in Pau Gasol to better contend size for size against DeMarcus Cousins. Anthony Davis would have 25 points to lead the Pelicans, and Cousins would only have 15 points in the outing despite some strong plays to keep the early lead.

Pau Gasol matched Cousins with 15 points, drawing fouls and also showing off his soft touch from beyond. Rudy Gay also splashed home a 3PTer, as did Patty Mills here and there. Tony Parker even had a decent showing here for San Antonio in a feelgood, resilient road effort culminating in an 11-0 run in the 3rd quarter to set the tone for the final period. The Spurs pulled away with solid defense and playmaking.

The Spurs now move to 15-3, topping the western conference so far.