New Orleans Pelicans escape with 85-84 win over Milwaukee Bucks
As Ersan Ilyasova‘s potential game winning shot headed towards the rim things looked grim for the New Orleans Pelicans. Ilyasova had gotten a wide open look from behind the arc and the shot seemed headed right for the bottom of the net.
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Then it reached the rim and shot straight up into the air and out, providing the Pelicans with a win that they may not have deserved and a spot back in the Western Conference playoffs.
The miss bailed out late mistakes from Tyreke Evans and a frustrating final possession that didn’t involve the ball touching Anthony Davis‘s hands to give the Pelicans a type of win that playoff teams get.
85. 69. Final. 84. 89
B. It was a frustrating night for <strong><a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON
This is one of those nights where the line looks good but the actual play from Tyreke Evans wasn’t good. He made awful decisions on shots and passes, struggled on defense and didn’t really compete for rebounds. It was ugly, it was awful and it almost cost New Orleans the game.. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. TYREKE EVANS. D
B+. The most impressive part of Anthony Davis’s game tonight was his passing. While he finished with just four assists, Davis controlled the game early on by seeing over the Bucks double teams and finding his open teammates. The 20 and 12 was nice but in the long run the passing was the best part of his night. . PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS
A+. <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK
This just wasn’t the night for <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM. C+
New Orleans Pelicans. QUINCY PONDEXTER. A+. It is easy to say that without <strong><a href=. SF
C. New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA. D. Much like Dante Cunningham this just wasn’t the game for <strong><a href=
NORRIS COLE. B. It wasn’t a terrible night for <strong><a href=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans
Other observations:
- Tyreke Evans remains baffling. After so many good games and decisions in a row, Evans went backwards tonight. One especially bad sequence was a fast break in the fourth quarter where Evans was running with Anthony Davis and instead of being patient he forced a shot that didn’t even come close to touching the rim. It was horrendous.
- The last Pelicans possession also wasn’t great. While defenses are going to do what they can to take away Anthony Davis going almost 24 seconds on the most important possession of the game without one of the best three players in the NBA touching the ball is hard to be ok with. Considering Davis isn’t a liability from the foul line it just is hard to be ok with.
- AD’s passing is great but imagining it with Jrue Holiday is even more exciting. At one point in the first quarter Davis caught the ball, read the double and threw a pass to Tyreke Evans in the corner. Evans bricked the jumper but imagining Jrue Holiday getting that shot is imagining made threes.
- It is great to see Omer Asik close games. Too often this year Asik has sat on the bench as the Pelicans struggled to close things out. His defense and rebounding are huge assets late in close games and it showed again tonight.
Tweet(s) of the Night:
Sometimes luck is all that matters.