New Orleans Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas Drops Double-Double in Loss to San Antonio Spurs

Pelicans Lose Third Straight, Fall to 2-7 in Last Nine Games

Jonas Valanciunas had 27 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to victory against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs won 122-112, handing the Pelicans their third straight loss.

Valanciunas also had three assists and six blocks, playing 29 minutes in the contest. Brandon Ingram, who scored a team-high 28 points, was the only other Pelicans player to score 20 points in the game.

The Pelicans led by four points at halftime, but the Spurs came out strong in the third quarter and took control of the game. The Spurs outscored the Pelicans 39-23 in the third quarter, leading to a 10-point lead heading into the final frame.

The Pelicans cut the lead to four points in the fourth quarter, but the Spurs were able to hold on for the win. Valanciunas said the Pelicans need to play better defense if they want to start winning games.

"We've got to be better defensively," Valanciunas said. "We're giving up too many easy baskets. We've got to make it tougher for teams to score against us."

The Pelicans will look to snap their losing streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.