Pelicans: Alvin Kamara and the Pels’ faithful helped in the comeback win

Sunday’s New Orleans Pelicans game against the Celtics was the biggest win of the season. No doubt. But did the fans in the Smoothie King Center help with that win? Most definitely.

This fan traded Sunday’s tickets for Wednesday’s game because of a family conflict. I’m bummed I missed out, but from what I’m told, the atmosphere in the SKC was the best of the season.

With a little over 1900 fans in attendance, there were times during the game it was obvious the fan noise broadcast on ABC was not the canned cheers they’ve been using for many games this season, Pelicans games included.

Even if the team didn’t get the full fan experience, it was obvious that something was brewing in the stands.

Spotted in that number, Saints Running Back Alvin Kamara was there to cheer on this gritty performance.

Of course, nothing gets the Pels fans riled up more than a questionable call, and there were plenty of them in this game. None worse than the technical that led to the ejection of JJ Redick.

Then it happened: All hail the “Refs you suck” chant.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard that in the Blender. It was the spark for those in attendance, and Redick’s ejection clearly was the spark this young team needed to claw back and put themselves in position to win the game in OT.

Kamara didn’t hold back on the officiating, either, which is, as we all know, a thorn in the side of any Pelicans fan.

https://twitter.com/A_kamara6/status/1363630777452347392?s=20

Meanwhile, although he did not directly acknowledge the crowd and its impact on the game, Zion Williamson did say in his postgame press conference that the team “needed that energy” to complete the epic 4th quarter comeback.

"“Everybody – coaches, players, ballboys – everybody was just engaged and we needed all that energy, and we pulled through.”"

Overall, this was the kind of win this team desperately needed. But even more, it was a win we as a fanbase needed.

We’ll take the two days off to breathe and hope the team rests up and regroups for Wednesday’s matchup against the Pistons. You can be assured I’ll be doing my best to make sure the players hear me, through my New Orleans Pelicans face mask.

Until then, take a moment to relish in this huge win that played out in front of a national TV audience and get ready for more fun this season with this team.