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Pelicans withstand 3-Point barrage and down Hawks
Usually when an opponent drops 14 threes on the Pelicans, the game is pretty much over by the third quarter. Tonight, however, the Pelicans had two things going for them that prevented a loss: Davis was getting to the line, and the whole team (and Stiemsma particularly) were controlling the glass. It was the second […]
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Aerial Battle On: Hawks @ Pelicans
The Hawks are hardly a team brimming with spectacular talent. Their two most impressive players – Al Horford (injured) and Paul Millsap (newly minted all-star) aren’t exactly known for flash, but instead rumble through the league being efficient and looking up at the rim as they put home floaters and power layups. Despite the lack […]
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In the NO Podcast Episode 168: Pelicans changing Tactics?
Michael and I talk about the different things we’ve been seeing the past couple weeks as the Pelicans defense appears to be tightening. We talk about Davis and his crazy run, Jason Smith and his season-ending injury, and discuss why Tyreke Evans has not been particularly effective. As always, we also wonder at why Withey […]
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Austin Rivers is no longer Historically Awful
I felt bad for Rivers last year. It’s a bit of an understatement to say that he got slammed by most of the NBA-related media. The draft kept being referred to as a 9-man draft, with Rivers brought up at 10 as the perfect eye-rolling example of a failure. I wasn’t too kind either, […]
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In the NO Podcast Episode 167: Anthony Davis going Nova
Michael and I talk about Jason Smith’s Injury, whether he or Aminu will be back next season, and where the team needs the biggest upgrade. We cover trends for the young guys on this team – the play by Rivers, Withey, and Darius Miller – and who we were most impressed with. We also talk, […]
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Pelicans find three point shot and Gordon finishes off Pistons
If one team can make a run, the other team is probably capable of doing the same. That’s pretty much what happened tonight as the Pelicans went on a sick 17-2 run, took a nice lead, and then allowed the Pistons to make their own 22-6 run in return. The Pistons were up 10 with […]
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Game On: Pelicans @ Pistons
I have a dirty little secret. Last year, when I wrote about how amazing Anthony Davis was as a 19-year old and how historically he was outproducing 19-year old superstars like Kobe, LeBron, Garnett, and Dwight Howard. However, I did one little trick so I could focus on Anthony Davis – I cut off players […]
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Pelicans snap losing streak against Grizzlies
Anthony Davis left his fingerprints all over that game as he showed just what kind of dynamic two-way player he is in the league. We’ll talk more about him in a bit, but I do need to say this game belongs to the bench. Ajinca, Withey, Rivers and Evans all had important contributions to the […]
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Game On: Pelicans @ Grizzlies
Playing the Grizzlies used to be a good matchup for the Pelicans. Davis could out-quick both Gasol and Randolph. Jason Smith and Ryan Anderson were both shooters that would make one of those two guys chase them where they didn’t want to go. Jrue Holiday could match Mike Conley. Tony Allen could only guard one […]
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Rockets tighten up enough in fourth to stop Pelicans
This is a little hard for me because it feels so much like last year. I would watch games last season and just enjoy seeing different players develop and learn. But this year the expectations were different. Yes, there was going to be development and growth – but there was also going to be enough […]
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Game On: Rockets @ Pelicans
The Rockets roll into New Orleans tonight to wrap up a four game road trip, with this being the 4th game in six nights for Houston. If the Pelicans are looking to snap their losing streak against the good teams they’ve been facing recently, this is the one to circle. In some ways, the injuries […]
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In the NO Podcast Episode 166: Where Injured Pelicans Abound
Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans all walk into a bar. Just kidding, those guys can’t walk! Michael and I talk about the injuries, the fact that this team is now reduced to a lesser version of last year’s squad, whether it’s time to tank, if it’s all Monty’s fault, and we address the […]
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Pelicans fall just a touch short on the Road
That was a weird game. Both teams started out ice cold and sloppy. Then both teams caught fire in the third, putting up 82 points between them. Two factors, however, worked to doom the Pelicans in the end: All their missing big guns, and Dirk Nowitzki. I said in the pregame I wanted the Pelicans […]
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Game On: Half-a-Pelican vs the Mavericks
The Finishing Five of the Pelicans have been amazing this year. Per 48 minutes, they outscore opponents by 8.4 points per game, relying on a blistering offense that is nearly impossible to contain. Of course, they’ve managed to be together for 91 minutes this season. Tonight, the Pelicans get to fly to Dallas to face […]
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Pelicans reach fourth quarter against Heat, shrug and wait for game to finish
I could talk about how they played with good energy in the first quarter – how they drove and kicked the way they needed to. I could even say they did that in the second quarter, and kinda in the third. But in the fourth? All it took was few plays, the Pelicans were down […]
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Game On: Pelicans @ Heat
The Pelicans, in the next few years, want to enter the conversation for best team in the league. Tonight, even without Ryan Anderson is a measuring stick game. The Pelicans will not get the best Miami Heat, even if they are unlucky and get a fully stocked Miami Heat. Miami cruises a little against weaker teams, and […]
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Anderson out Indefinitely
The Pelicans announced today that Ryan Anderson is out indefinitely with a herniated disc in his back. A quick look around the web indicates an injury like this could take a month or more to recover from, depending on the seriousness of the injury. It goes without saying that this is a major blow to […]
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In the NO Podcast Episode 165: The Irreplacable Anderson
Ryan Anderson goes down, and once again exposes the fact he is probably the most irreplaceable part on the roster when it comes to efficient offense. It happens, of course, after Michael and I talk about how things were looking up for the team. Dangit! We also talk Ajinca stating, Eric Gordon’s odd explosive/disappearing acts, […]
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In the NO Podcast Episode 164: Things Looking up in the New Year
Welcome to the New Year! Michael and I talk about the positive and negatives things we saw during the games over the holidays, including the stinkers against the Clippers and Wolves, as well as positive signs like Evans’ aggressiveness, Aminu’s string of solid games, Jrue Holiday’s growing comfort in the system, and Anthony Davis ongoing […]
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Game On: New Orleans @ Minnesota
Two teams fighting for the end of the playoff seeding clash tonight as the Pelicans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. Looking at their records, you would assume the teams are comparable, with Minnesota 15-16 and the Pelicans 14-15. The records, however, obscure the fact the Wolves have an offense that generates 108.4 points per possession and […]