Spurs overcome Pelicans despite McCollum’s 36

Call it a good news, bad news situation.

The good news is that CJ McCollum, in his second game with the New Orleans Pelicans, put on a show.

McCollum pumped in 36 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out five assists in a brilliant performance. It was the 20th time this season that McCollum has scored 20 or more points in a game.

The bad news is that the Pelicans lost, at home to San Antonio 124-114 to a team that the Pelicans are competing with for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

New Orleans shot it plenty well enough, to the tune of 49 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line.

Additionally, the Pelicans won the battle of the boards 46-34.

The problem was that San Antonio shot 50.5 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from 3-point range and 84.2 percent from the free throw line.

The Pelicans were plagued by 15 turnovers while the Spurs committed just five.

Brandon Ingram scored 22 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Herb Jones added 13 points. Willy Hernangomez returned from a four-game absence due to health and safety protocols.

While the Pelicans were efficient offensively, they were not efficient on the defensive end of the floor. New Orleans was outscored 50-42 in the paint.

The game was not as close as the final score indicated as San Antonio built a huge 18-point lead in the fourth quarter. New Orleans never led in the contest.

Losers of two straight, the Pelicans host a good Toronto team Monday night.