New Orleans Pelicans: Game grades for win over Houston Rockets
The New Orleans Pelicans entered Thursday night’s game against the Houston Rockets with a great chance to steal a win. Houston entered the game after an overtime victory in Denver on Wednesday night and it showed early and often that they just didn’t have their legs under them. After struggling early due to just missing shots and careless turnovers the Pelicans were able to overcome the absence of Tyreke Evans and pick up an important road win in the division.
90. 169. 99. 69. Final
PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. B+. It was a rough performance for <strong><a href=
A+. 30 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks, three assists, two steals and just a single turnover. <strong><a href=. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS
B+. <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK
PF/SF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON. B+. The Rockets made an effort to really run <strong><a href=
PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. AUSTIN RIVERS. B. I wasn’t a huge fan of <strong><a href=
D. At some point <strong><a href=. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. JIMMER FREDETTE
F. <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. JOHN SALMONS
New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM. A-. Energy, effort, mid-range jumpers. <strong><a href=. SF
SF. New Orleans Pelicans. LUKE BABBITT. B. The best think <strong><a href=
JEFF WITHEY. INC. Hauled in a rebound and got to the line in two minutes but he also had an awful turnover that led to a <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans
Other observations:
- That was just a nice win for New Orleans even with Houston on a back-to-back. Down two starters in Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans the Pelicans needed guys to step up and Davis and Cunningham did just that. This is a big win for standings and confidence purposes. The Pelicans got a win over a good team on the road and that is always nice.
- That said there are things to worry about. The Rockets got a ton of clean good looks and just missed them. The next time these two teams play Houston should be better rested and if they get those same looks again the game won’t be close.
- I said it on Twitter a few games ago but Anthony Davis from straight on mid-range is starting to feel like Dirk Nowitzki. It just always feels like the ball is going in and is surprising when it doesn’t. That is a scary thought for other teams.
- The Pelicans will have a shot at a second straight nice win on Saturday when they host a beat up Portland Trailblazers team.
Next: The Pelicans reportedly called the Celtics about Jeff Green