The New Orleans Pelicans entered halftime of their season opener with just a seven point lead against the Orlando Magic. The team’s starting back court had struggled a bit to shoot the ball but thanks to the play of Anthony Davis and Omer Asik the Pelicans had enough to be ahead. While the guards never really got going great in the second half Ryan Anderson joined Davis and Asik in the dominating category and the Pelicans cruised in the second half to a 101-84 victory. Davis was the stay with 26 points, 17 rebounds, nine blocks, three steals and two assists but the team in general clearly looked better than Orlando, a nice sign early on in the year.
Other random thoughts:
- This front line is incredible. Whenever the Pelicans needed a basket either Asik, Davis or Anderson seemed to come up with it. Sometimes it was an Asik or Davis dunk, sometimes it was an Anderson tip or three. Whatever it was it worked. This is the strength for New Orleans and will win them a ton of games. Tonight was just the first time.
- No Luke Babbitt was a strange choice. I don’t understand what John Salmons does to earn minutes but apparently it is something as Monty went to him twice. We will see how long it continues when Salmons keeps being awful.
- When the guards on this team make open looks they missed tonight there will be no stopping them.
- Anthony Davis is really, really fun.