Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans lead New Orleans Pelicans over Charlotte Hornets 100-91
The New Orleans Pelicans finally got back on the winning track with a fairly easy 100-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets. New Orleans felt like the better team throughout the game and used the third quarter to take advantage of bad Hornets offense and take the lead for good, led by Anthony Davis. It was an important win for New Orleans as they get set to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
91. 170. 100. 69. Final
A-. <p class=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY
D+. <p><strong>4 points, 0-6 FG, 0-3 3PT, 4-4 FT, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers</strong></p><p>This is getting hard to watch. Gordon is working hard and doing what he can but he just can’t get a shot to fall. If it continues, the discussion about whether or not Gordon or <strong><a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON
A. <p><strong>16</strong><strong> points, 7-18 FG, 2-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, 5 assists, 10 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 4 turnovers</strong></p><p>For most of the night things weren’t going great for Evans, who picked up two early fouls by bowling over the Hornets in transition. But it picked up late for him when his jumper started falling and he helped put away the Hornets with drives out of the pick-and-roll. He continues to be an offensive dynamo for 10 to 15 minute stretches every game which makes the New Orleans offense reach its highest heights. </p>. SF/PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. TYREKE EVANS
A+. <p><strong>24 points, 10-17 FG, 0-0 3PT, 4-4 FT, 2 assists, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 1 turnover</strong></p><p>The most impressive thing about Anthony Davis is how easy he makes everything look. Tonight he effortlessly knocked down jumpers, finished near the rim, changed shots inside and outside of the arc and hauled in rebounds. He is so talented that he is easily the best player on the floor basically every night and yet it never seems hard. Boy, is it fun to watch. </p>. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS
A. <p><strong>10</strong><strong> points, 3-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 4-4 FT, 3 assists, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers</strong></p><p>Asik made <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK
B+. <p><strong>16</strong><strong> points, 7-12 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-2 FT, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers</strong></p><p>Anderson started to knock down shots tonight including a few stop-and-pop jumpers that a man his size shouldn’t be able to shoot so well. The shot making was a nice sign for a player the Pelicans need to knock down threes, as it is at least a step in the right direction. When they do go down more consistently this offense will get even better. </p>. PF/SF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON
A. <p><strong>12</strong><strong> points, 5-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers</strong></p><p>Rivers was great for the Pelicans tonight, which is a nice surprise with Gordon struggling so much. Most importantly he looks confident and comfortable going to the rim and it showed tonight with some tough finishes. If this continues it will be hard to keep him out of the lineup instead of the struggling Gordon, something that showed tonight when Rivers played over the starter in crunch time. </p>. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. AUSTIN RIVERS
B-. <p><strong>0</strong><strong> points, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 assists, 1 rebound, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers</strong></p><p>Fredette didn’t actually hurt the Pelicans off the bench but he didn’t really do much either. He competed on defense well but got hung up in a few screens and was bailed out by Davis scaring the Hornets shooters. At the end of the day he is most effective when he makes shots. If he can’t get open for those shots he isn’t particularly helpful. </p>. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. JIMMER FREDETTE
F. <p><strong>2 points, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 assists, 2 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers</strong></p><p>Five fouls in five minutes is just plain awful. If it continues (and it probably will) expect to see <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA
INC. <p><strong>0</strong><strong> points, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers</strong></p><p>It was a rough NBA debut for Smith, who was beat for a lay-up and committed two turnovers in just four minutes. It will get better eventually though. </p>. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. RUSS SMITH
Other observations:
- This was an important win for the Pelicans confidence. They snapped a three game losing streak and finally started to make some shots. For a young team both of those things are important as they move forward and try to earn a playoff spot in the long run.
- The play for the Davis oop in the fourth quarter has now been run in multiple games and keeps producing thanks to teams being afraid of Anderson. Combine that with the chemistry Davis and Holiday have and you get fun. It will be worth watching going forward though as teams should eventually figure out a counter with more film. Or at least as much of a counter as you can have against Anthony Davis.
- I’m not sure the Tyreke Evans making jumpers thing lasts. He still fades away on a lot of them and takes some silly ones, but for now the threat is important. If Evans can force opponents to have to attack him hard on a close out, it opens up driving lanes for him to attack. It bears watching for sure.