Jose Alvarado’s New Orleans Pelicans team has stayed alive in the NBA’s play-in tournament.
The former Georgia Tech star came off the bench to contribute 12 points and three assists in 22 minutes and help the Pelicans win their play-in game over the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in New Orleans.
The win advanced New Orleans in the play-in tournament to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night in Los Angeles. The winner moves into the first round of the Western Conference playoffs as the No. 8 seed opposite No. 1-seed Phoenix. The loser is out of the postseason.
Alvarado played 10 minutes in the second quarter, when he was part of a 12-2 Pelicans run that gave them a 59-48 lead late in the period. New Orleans led for the remainder of the game.
In the run, Alvarado made a 3-pointer, made one of two free throws and picked Devin Vassell’s pocket to begin a fast break in which he set up CJ McCollum for a 3-pointer and the 59-48 lead.
It was one more accomplishment in a rookie season in which Alvarado began the season on the bench with a two-way contract before earning a spot in the rotation and a four-year contract.
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