Game On: Pelicans Go Back to their Roots against the Hornets

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Published: March 9, 2016

The Charlotte Hornets are on a 4-game winning streak that has pushed them up to 34-28 and the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Kemba Walker has recorded 3-straight 30+ point games as he continues to impress in his career season. Meanwhile the Pelicans just ended a 4-game losing steak with a win on Monday against the Sacramento Kings. They sit 14 games under .500 with a bottom-6 record. If you were describing these two teams to me before this season, I would have said the Pels were the 6th seed and the Hornets were struggling, not the other way around, but that’s where we find ourselves.

In his first start since December 1st, Jrue Holiday played 36 minutes and put up 20-10 on 50% shooting Monday against the Kings, who sit just a game ahead of the Pelicans (or behind depending on which way you want to go). Holiday has 10 20pt games in his last 12. His counter-part Anthony Davis put up 31-10 on Monday, and it just so happens his first NBA double-double came against Charlotte. Davis has been very up and down post-allstar break, with 3 games shooting in the 30-40% range, but also 4 games posting 30 or more points.

Davis’ struggle to find consistency is emblematic of the team’s season long struggle to find an identity. A 114.2 Offensive rating in wins is the highest mark in the NBA. The problem is they only have 24 wins. Tonight they’ll look to build off their win Monday night, as the team seeks to establish some continuity in play to carry over to next season.

Some Keys to the Game:

  • Jrue v Kemba – exciting matchups of attacking point guards are becoming pretty common in today’s NBA, but tonight features two good stories as well. Holiday’s recovery and Walker’s breakout season have been the major positive developments in the two franchises this season, and with Holiday now in the starting lineup, whoever prevails in this matchup will likely have the edge in the final score.
  • Ryan Anderson – “the big who could make this offense elite” has not really lived up to what some of us at BSS thought, he most certainly hasn’t had the impact on the offense I believed he would. His road woes have carried over from last season (shooting just 38.6% away from the SKC), and lately his playing time has been down as well (<22mins/game in his last 4). Whether he is in the future plans of the franchise or not, if they want to try and win some games to end this season they’ll need to find a way to get him going.
  • Easy Answer: The Brow – Everything is about him now. With this season down the garbage chute, all eyes have turned to the future, and his continued development is the focus (it is the reason fans have clamored for Holiday to be starting for weeks – not to win, but to get minutes with Davis). Fans can at least take solace these final days of the season in Anthony Davis. Will he post another 59-20? He is averaging 27-11 post allstar break. For better or for worse, feed the Brow.

tip off is for 7/8CT, tune in and as always, Flock Up!

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