The New Orleans Pelicans thoroughly defeated the Brooklyn Nets 111-91. The win makes it three straight for New Orleans (5-2 over the last ten days, 9-2 over their last 11 games) and puts the Pelicans in a virtual tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eighth and final playoff spot (the Pelicans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Thunder having won three of the four games the teams have played against each other this season.)
The Pelicans won despite star Anthony Davis having an off (for him) day, scoring 15 points on 5/16 shooting, with six rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Six different players scored in 12+ points tonight for the Pelicans, being led by Alexis Ajinca and Quincy Pondexter, who each had 17. Pondexter followed up his career high of 25 the last time these two teams played by making five of six three pointers tonight (happy birthday Q-Pon). Omer “No Ice” Asik dominated the paint, scoring 12 points and having 15 rebounds. Norris Cole filled in amicably for Tyreke Evans, notching 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Here’s how the Pels handled the keys to the game:
- Rebounding- The Pelicans and Nets each had 41 rebounds in tonight’s game. But even with the Nets having the edge with 12 offensive rebounds to the Pelicans eight, New Orleans still outscored the Brooklyn 15-8 on second chance points, negating any positive that the Nets were hoping for in jumpstarting their offense.
- Points in the Paint- This stat also hilariously ended in a tie, with each team scoring 50 points in the paint. The Nets started off hot, outscoring the Pels 16-10 in the first quarter in points in the paint, and Brook Lopez made all five of his first quarter field goals. But the Nets would end up shooting under 50% from the paint for the game, while Lopez would go on to miss six of his last seven shots.
- Assists- This is the stat that the Pels dominated. New Orleans had 31 assists to the Nets 19. I was worried about the Pelicans not passing the ball as much, with Evans out and only Davis being worthy of a double team. But the Pelicans whipped the ball around the entire game, to the point where every player who came into the game made a field goal (yes, even Jeff Withey.) As Cole said after the game, “We executed offensively, shared the ball, played together. When we do that, we’re a tough team.”
- The Pelicans are now 3-2 during Bourbon Street Shots’ watch parties.
13 responses to “Recap: Pelicans Topple Nets”
Weather kept me from commuting in but I bet you guys were going crazy after we came back from behind to trounce them. Hope the next watch party in April is one of the late Friday or Saturday games as that would make for a good time (provided food is still being served!).
Me and my homie couldn’t make it this time, but the one in April should be fun! And those playoff parties too, hopefully. Great team win heading into this mini-vacation!
Wish I could have been there. 20 pts is the largest margin of victory on the road for N.O. since 1/21/11, 100-59 win @ ATL and only 9th time franchise has had a 20+ pt road victory.
Pelican Poster The next watch party is on April 8th (a Wednesday) against the Grizzlies. May be a very important game for both teams (potential playoff preview?)
champsworld504 Was a great win. Definitely got to catch a game sometime.
TPCoop Especially on the back-end of a road back-tp-back set. We hadn’t swept one of those all season (we did sweep one where one of the games was at home.)
Hey Let”s Get the Pelicans on Fan Night
http://www.nba.com/nbatv/fannight/results.html#MILvsNOP
SamuelWhoDatWilcher Looking pretty good at the moment.
Didn’t see the game, but it sure looks like Norris Cole and Poindexter have made significant contributions. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some noise during the remainder of the season.
BillBloom I think it goes beyond that. The Pels I feel have the inside track on a playoff seed with Durant out another week or two, and Dallas’ ridiculous schedule. Pels have a shot at not only the 8th, seed, but the 7th seed. Which would be crazy, cause the Pels love playing Memphis.
ChristopherRomaguera BillBloom Don’t think Memphis is going to be able to hang on to the #2…could be some late night game watching from the West Coast! I also would prefer Memphis!
Pelican Poster ChristopherRomaguera BillBloom I know the Grizz have been sliding (and resting their players.) But the Blazers are still going to have to get used to playing sans Matthews and are about to embark on a five-game roadtrip, which ends with a game at Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back. Houston is also 2-4 in their last six. Not sure the Clippers have what it takes to make up the three games either, so I’d (currently) bet on the Grizz staying at the 2 seed.
No doubt…the finish is shaping up to be as exciting as the playoffs!