Spurs, Pelicans desperate to improve defensive prowess

Both the San Antonio Spurs and the host New Orleans Pelicans are eager to improve their defense and overall execution when they battle on Monday night.

The teams have played twice this season, with the Spurs taking an overtime victory in New Orleans on Oct. 24 and winning in San Antonio on Nov. 8.

The Spurs enter the third game of a four-game trip on the heels of a 130-117 loss Friday at Cleveland. Still without the injured Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, San Antonio led by eight points at the half but gave up a season-high 44 in the third quarter and never recovered.

"Obviously, the physicality and resistance at the start of possessions were not where they needed to be," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "We missed some shots -- some good shots -- but we missed them. And then you start playing on your heels. There was quite a snowball effect there that was pretty disappointing."

Devin Vassell finished with 28 points for the Spurs while De'Aaron Fox added 25 points and nine assists and Keldon Johnson hit for 14 points. Vassell scored 25 of his points in the first half, when he tied the team record with seven 3-pointers in a half.

"Not enough ball movement offensively and defensively," Vassell said. "We didn't guard the ball. We're not going to win games with people just continuously getting layups, and I mean, really, with no resistance. It was all of us."

Wembanyama (left calf strain) will not dress for the 11th straight game and Castle (left hip strain) is questionable after missing the previous nine contests. The past two Rookie of the Years both could be on the court for the NBA Cup quarterfinals Dec. 10 in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

The Pelicans have lost six straight games and 15 of their past 16, most recently a 119-101 setback Saturday in Brooklyn. Trey Murphy III scored 23 points, but New Orleans dropped to 3-21 overall and 1-11 under interim coach James Borrego.

The Pelicans' three wins are tied with Washington for the fewest in the league.

Saddiq Bey contributed 18 points and Bryce McGowans finished with 16 in the loss to Brooklyn, during which the Pelicans committed 17 turnovers and were outrebounded 45-36. New Orleans has played 14 games this season without Zion Williamson, who will be out at least three more weeks with his right hip adductor injury.

"It really starts with our defense," Borrego said after the Nets loss. "I thought we would get out and run and do some more things. Maybe when you're bleeding defensively, it affects the offensive end. In general, our offense was stagnant, too.

"We've got to find ways to start games with a physical edge. Obviously, it's my job to get them there, to find a group that will defend and play the right way."