NEW ORLÉANS (AP) – Brandon Ingram had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-95 on Sunday.
The Spurs had a chance to tie the game after Steve Adams, whose dunk gave the Pelicans the 97-91 lead with two minutes to go, missed a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go.
But Eric Bledsoe blocked DeMar DeRozan’s 3-point attempt from behind in the final seconds to protect New Orleans’ win.
Zion Williamson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, scoring about half of his points with dunks. Lonzo Ball helped with 16 points and five steals, Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 boards as a backup.
Rudy Gay scored 22 points and Lonnie Walker IV had 16 for the Spurs, who lost for the first time after starting the season with two wins. Keldon Johnson had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Dejounte Murray had 13 points, but he also lost the ball six times.
New Orleans led 15 in the third quarter when JJ Redick hit a half-distance shot and was fouled by Gay to complete a three-point play and make it 79-64.
The Spurs took advantage of the push with a 21-3 streak that put them in front early in the fourth quarter.
The duel stayed tight the rest of the way, exchanging the lead three times.
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