Awards: Anthony Davis leads New Orleans Pelicans over Detroit Pistons 111-106
The story of this game for the New Orleans Pelicans is a simple one. Anthony Davis, Anthony Davis and more Anthony Davis. It was a performance for the ages by the 22 year old superstar, he dominated the game in all aspects and proved once again that he is one of the best players this league has to offer.
Anthony Davis was the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Not only did Anthony Davis set the franchise record in points, he played fantastic defense on Andre Drummond and took two huge charges. Down the stretch of this game the offense was strictly run through Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis and the Detroit Pistons had no answer for it. The play of these two has offered a glimpse of hope for the future of the Pelicans, and today their play helped the Pelicans remain unbeaten after the All-Star break.
MVP: Anthony Davis
This was a really tough choice, but Anthony Davis 4 assist gave him the edge for this award. In all seriousness Anthony Davis was unbelievable. Davis made shot after shot finishing with 59 points on 34 shots. It was uncanny efficiency, and Davis was locked in from start to finish. This is a game where Anthony Davis grabbed the rest of the team and put them on his shoulders, the Pistons tried everything to stop him and nothing worked at all as Davis was dialed in from everywhere on the floor. Defensively it was one of his most complete performances, he guarded Andre Drummond and rotated over to help with excellent timing. Davis finished with a final stat line of 59 points,20 rebounds, 4 assist while making both of his three point attempts. Players like Anthony Davis do not come along very often and its games like today when Pelicans fan should appreciate just how fortunate they are to have such a talent.
LVP: Marucs Morris
Marcus Morris was getting roasted on the defensive end by Anthony Davis, and on top of that he finished 1-7 from the field and missed all of his three point attempts. The Pistons big men will rejoice in the fact that they will not see Anthony Davis anymore this season.
X-Factor: Jrue Holiday
True Holiday continued his stellar play of late finishing with 20 points, 9 assist and 7 rebounds. Holiday has proven to be a reliable second scoring option for the Pelicans and the offense of the Pelicans picks up whenever he comes in off the bench. The difference in quality is painfully obvious and late in the 4th with the offense going strictly through Holiday and Davis it showed just how dangerous that duo is to guard.
Turning Point: Anthony Davis checks in with 10 minutes left in 4th
When Anthony Davis checked into the 4th quarter with 40 points, the Pelicans were stuck at 80 and had yet to score in the 4th. 10 minutes and 19 points later the Pelicans walked out of Detroit with a 5 point win. The minute Davis checked back in the Pelicans would take control of this game. Davis answered every Pistons shot and it became clear that he was not about to let the Pelicans lose this game.
Defining Moment: Anthony Davis Three Pointer in the 4th
Jrue Holiday passed to Anthony Davis who was in the right corner three, Davis popped off a screen and was able to create a bit of space and then proceeded to shoot with no hesitation. Once Anthony Davis (a 29% three point shooter) nailed that three it became apparent that the Pelicans were going to close this out on the back of AD.
That was… So Fun
Watching Anthony Davis commit an all time great performance was amazing. The letdown is that the supporting cast offered no help outside of Holiday. If Anthony Davis does not go supernova the Pelicans likely are getting blown out of this game. Still, we all witnessed something special today and it will be something Pelicans fans talk about for a long time.