The Spurs’ lead slowly wilted on Saturday, from 22 with 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, to 15 at the 4:19 mark, to 10 with under 3 minutes left, to 5 with 45 seconds still left on the clock — and all the while Gregg Popovich let it play out. Against a Pelicans team missing five of its six top players, and with the only healthy member sitting on the bench, the Spurs coach let his group of reserves try to figure things out — still calling plays, certainly, talking to players, and making the occasional substitution as needed — but looking to avoid the final measure of sending his starters back on the floor.
Spurs hold on against Pelicans to keep win streak alive
