SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT NEW ORLEANS PELICANS Wednesday, April 11 (7 p.m.)
Why it’s on the list
In a scheduling coincidence, the Spurs coming to the Smoothie King Center for
Game 82 of the regular season is a repeat of April 15, 2015, when the Pelicans
posted a 108-103 victory and earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference
playoffs. That game is arguably the most memorable regular season win in
franchise history, as New Orleans notched a must-win to qualify for the
postseason (one runner-up may be April 15, 2008, when New Orleans beat the
Clippers to become Southwest Division champions for the only time). The Pelicans
would prefer to be safely in the 2018 playoff field by the time this April 11
matchup comes around, but it’s possible there will be something at stake
seeding-wise for both teams. In one of toughest divisions in all of professional
sports, San Antonio has still managed to dominate, winning six of the past seven
Southwest championships. In fact, the only time since 2010-11 that San Antonio
did not capture the division title occurred in 2014-15, when Houston finished
first at 56-26. The 55-27 Spurs’ chances to prevail were ended by their Game 82
defeat to the Pelicans.
Where it falls on the New Orleans schedule
As noted above, it’s the regular season and home finale for the Pelicans. It
comes on the heels of a three-game road trip that is necessitated by unusual
circumstances. With the Mercedes-Benz Superdome hosting the immensely popular
Wrestlemania on April 8, the Pelicans must make way by leaving town for a few
days, in this case an April 6-9 road excursion that features matchups with
Phoenix, Golden State and the Clippers. April is no easy month for New Orleans,
with two other home games vs. Oklahoma City and Memphis.
What’s new in San Antonio
The Spurs aren’t known for dramatic offseason overhauls, with elite continuity
being one reason they are so good year in and year out. San Antonio did make one
major pickup this summer, signing forward Rudy Gay to a two-year deal. Gay is
coming off an Achilles’ tear, but provides the Spurs with an athletic wing who
can thrive in an up-tempo style. San Antonio did lose some depth in free agency,
as Jonathon Simmons and Dewayne Dedmon signed with Southeast Division teams
Orlando and Atlanta, respectively.
Other 2017-18 games between these two teams
Wednesday, Nov. 22, San Antonio at New Orleans Wednesday, Feb. 28, New Orleans
at San Antonio Thursday, March 15, New Orleans at San Antonio
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