The first play-in tournament appearance in franchise history was a resounding success.
The New Orleans Pelicans dominated the action for much of the game, building a 21-point lead within the first minute of the fourth quarter, before needing to diffuse a late San Antonio charge for a 113-103 victory over the Spurs.
The ovation at the finish of the National Anthem strongly hinted the Smoothie King Center was more than eager to fill the role of the team’s sixth man. The fans would go on to hold up their part of the bargain thanks in large part to the Pelicans providing a seemingly endless supply of fireworks.