Even without star center DeMarcus Cousins, the New Orleans Pelicans dominated the Denver Nuggets on the road for a must-win for their playoff hopes.
The New Orleans Pelicans came into tonight facing a must-win game in Denver.
It would end in a convincing 25-point victory for the Pels.
One of the issues coming into tonight was the Denver Nuggets’ lethal scoring and offensive rebounding. However, the Nuggets shot just 37.9 percent from the field. They also only grabbed eight offensive boards, while New Orleans finished with 10. While Denver’s offense crumbled, the Pelicans balanced scoring shined bright.
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All 11 Pelicans who saw the floor tonight made at least one basket from the floor. That includes six Pels, three off the bench, who would finish with at least 10 points in the game. New Orleans as a team shot 49.5 percent from the field and made nine of their 27 attempts from long range.
The Pelicans were led by superstar Anthony Davis. Last time Davis played the Nuggets, he had 50 points and 15 rebounds. This time, Davis had 31 points and 15 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play. To say that A.D. has been dominant against the Nuggets is an understatement. With two more games left against Denver, that will be vitally important for the Pels’ playoff chances.
Final Thoughts:
- Quinn Cook and Chieck Diallo both played four minutes of garbage time. It’s great to see the youngsters find the floor and show their stuff. Both made a look and Cook specifically looked full of energy on the floor.
- This game made a statement to the NBA. The New Orleans Pelicans are not ready to give in. More so, they are looking like a team that has chemistry. DeMarcus Cousins did not play, yet had fun with his teammates on the bench enjoying the show. This is no longer a roster of two stars. This is a team. While this year may not result in a playoff run, the foundation going forward is being built.
Next: Five Free Agent Targets for New Orleans Pelicans: Part One
The New Orleans Pelicans will look to keep the wins coming, as they travel to Utah tomorrow. They will play the Jazz on the second of a road back-to-back. Tip is on schedule for 9:30 p.m. CST.