Both the San Antonio Spurs and the host New Orleans Pelicans are eager to improve their defense and overall execution when they battle on Monday night.

The teams have played twice this season, with the Spurs taking an overtime victory in New Orleans on Oct. 24 and winning in San Antonio on Nov. 8.

The Spurs enter the third game of a four-game trip on the heels of a 130-117 loss Friday at Cleveland. Still without the injured Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, San Antonio led by eight points at the half but gave up a season-high 44 in the third quarter and never recovered.

"Obviously, the physicality and resistance at the start of possessions were not where they needed to be," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "We missed some shots -- some good shots -- but we missed them. And then you s

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