Aldridge scores season-high 36, Spurs beat Pelicans 110-97
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 110-97. AP
SAN ANTONIO, Texas—LaMarcus Aldridge had 36 points, setting his season high for the second consecutive game, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-97 on Wednesday night to remain unbeaten at home.
San Antonio (41-8) won its 27th straight home game to open the season and 36th overall dating to last season.
Anthony Davis had 28 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans. Jrue Holiday scored 20.
Aldridge was 12 for 20 from the field two days after scoring 28 points in a victory over Orlando.
The Spurs’ major offseason acquisition had plenty of help, especially from Kawhi Leonard. The fellow Western Conference All-Star had 26 points and five rebounds.
On consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, Aldridge scored on putback and Leonard backed down Holiday for a short hook shot to give San Antonio a 100-89 lead with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
The Spurs went inside after having great success from long range.
Danny Green hit three consecutive 3-pointers as San Antonio closed the first quarter on a 13-4 run to turn a rare early deficit at home into a three-point lead. Green’s second three came after Toney Douglas missed a fast-break layup after turning back to see how close Boris Diaw was.
Green finished with 16 points while going 4-for-8 on 3s.
Tim Duncan missed his fifth straight game with a sore right knee and Davis took advantage of his absence early.
Davis scored 12 points in the opening quarter on 5-for-7 shooting as Aldridge and David West struggled to contain New Orleans’ All-Star forward.
Manu Ginobili exited with 2 1/2 minutes remaining after being knocked down by Ryan Anderson on a drive and stepped on by Leonard. Ginobili headed for the locker room grabbing his side and holding a towel to his face.
