New Orleans Pelicans coast to 106-95 win over Memphis Grizzlies
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Coming off a tough loss in Charlotte on Wednesday no one knew what to expect from the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. The Memphis Grizzlies entered New Orleans finally healthy when
Zach Randolphreturned to the starting lineup tonight after a nine game absence but New Orleans made it an unhappy return as they led coast-to-coast and by double digits most the night on their way to a 106-95 victory.
69. Final. 95. 211. 106
A+. <strong><a href=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY
New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON. A. The most important part of the game for <strong><a href=. SG
New Orleans Pelicans. TYREKE EVANS. A+. <strong><a href=. SF/PG/SG
ANTHONY DAVIS. A+. It was another quiet first half for <strong><a href=. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK. A. Memphis is a perfect type of match-up for Asik and one in which his strengths really shine through. The rebounding and rim protection are just so valuable to wins in games like this.. C
New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON. A+. When <strong><a href=. PF/SF
New Orleans Pelicans. AUSTIN RIVERS. C. It was weird to see <strong><a href=. PG/SG
DANTE CUNNINGHAM. A-. It was perhaps the best 0 point game in the NBA this season as Cunningham kept finding his way to important rebounds to extend New Orleans possessions. Call me skeptical that this starting lineup will work long-term but Cunnigham made things happen today with effort, just as he has since he joined the Pelicans. . SF. New Orleans Pelicans
C-. The two threes were good looks. They just didn’t go down. . SF. New Orleans Pelicans. LUKE BABBITT
C-. Two fouls in six minutes with a missed layup is such an <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA
Other observations:
- This was an important win for the Pelicans. After losing a tough game to the Hornets on Wednesday the Pelicans needed to find a way to steal one of the few games they had remaining this month against a winning team. Doing that tonight means the Pelicans start their road trip east looking to build a winning streak which is always nice.
- The difference in tonight’s late game offense and other games was movement. The Pelicans brought screeners up to Tyreke Evans at the top of the key and even if Tyreke didn’t use the screen (like with Ryan Anderson on the and-one) it bent the defense enough to create wider driving and passing allies. That is what people want to see more of instead of just 4-down isolations.
- The Pelicans start a road trip in Boston on Monday, where they will look to shake off their recent road woes.
Tweet of the night:
Monty Williams said after talking to Tyreke Evans & Eric Gordon about synergy, Evans volunteered to come off bench for betterment of team
— Nakia Hogan (@nakiahogan) January 10, 2015
A nice sign of maturity from Tyreke Evans who has always had questions surrounding him about if he would do what is best for the team. The role seemed to work as well. The real test will come when the Pelicans lose a game or two and Evans struggles but for now it was a nice sign.
Next: Quincy Pondexter is reportedly heading back to New Orleans