Losing 10 of 12 games is a bad sign for any season, but Jrue Holiday inspired hope tonight, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a second straight win.
The return of Pelicans star Jrue Holiday sparked much needed optimism among the New Orleans Pelicans fanbase. New Orleans would capitalize off of that momentum tonight.
Following up on their best win of the season last night, New Orleans responded with resilient effort tonight. Both teams started off the game shooting poorly, but Charlotte would hold a steady lead throughout due to the Pelicans inability to shoot from behind the arc. While the Pelicans were struggling from deep, the Hornets would find the touch from some hot shooting from Marco Bellinelli (and to a lesser degree Frank Kaminsky).
New Orleans came into the 4th quarter trailing by 11 points, but ironically the three point shot would bring them back into the game. Particularly fiery was Langston Galloway, who nailed three straight from distance, and got fouled a fourth attempt. His hot shooting allowed New Orleans to gain ground while also helping them withstand the Bellinelli buzzsaw.
The Pelicans late-game execution has been an issue for them all season, but tonight, they delivered. New Orleans trailed by deficits of three points and two points with less than 2:00 minutes remaining, yet they responded well enough to bring the game into overtime. Once the game got to overtime, the greatness of Anthony Davis pulled them through. Davis scored 8 in overtime to close the door on Charlotte.
Below are grades from tonights back and forth affair.
Next: Dispatch from Jrue Holiday's return at the Smoothie King Center