Game Review: Another victory for the New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis scored 32 points and Eric Gordon chipped in with 13 points and five assists, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 99-74 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The win gives New Orleans their fourth victory in as many games and moves them 24-21. In defeat, K.J. McDaniels scored 16 points with four rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

This is what I wanted to see. The Pelicans walked into the Smoothie King Center and took care of the 76ers. Other than the second quarter that saw Philadelphia cut through a 12-point Pelicans lead and turn it into a one point lead, the Pelicans dominated throughout, winning three of the four quarters.

Everyone played well: Anthony Davis did some pretty incredible stuff, Tyreke Evans flourished by moving the ball around, and Omer Asik stood around and defended that rim. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Pelicans were resting a couple of their players, looking forward to the next game.

The Pelicans are now winners of four in a row at a pretty important time. Phoenix is surging, but Oklahoma City is sliding a bit. If the Pelicans want to continue to stay in the playoff race, they’ll need to continue racking up the wins.

Notes

• Anthony Davis was fantastic, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks. He ran some excellent pick and rolls with Tyreke Evans, he played some great defense on both Henry Sims and Nerlens Noel and altered some shots at the rim. This was one of Davis’ best performances of the season. Go check out some of the fanshots we've posted on the site.
• Tyreke Evans did a great job. 10 assists by halftime, and finished up with 12 to go with six points. This is the Evans I like, the one that can move the ball around and get everyone involved.
• Ryan Anderson did a good job providing the offense for long stretches. He knocked down the three-ball, grabbed a couple of rebounds, and even played the passing lanes very well, finishing with three steals. On one hand, it was against Philadelphia, but on the other, he looked really, really good.
• I’m going to stop at some point, but good lord do I like watching Eric Gordon play basketball on this team. The one word I use to describe it? Simple. Gordon does a great job moving on the offensive end, with or without the ball, and always gets into great position on the arc. He’ll shoot the ball well, provide some additional assists to the lineup.
• Last one, Dante Cunningham doesn’t have the most effective game in the world, but he’ll knock down mid range jumpers and defend. He did exactly that in this game. At first, I liked him at the small forward position, but then I went back on it. Now, I like it again. All is right in the world.
• Last, last one. Good job, Monty not leaving all of your guys in and getting that bench in early. The Pelicans usually play eight players, so getting everyone in the game allows your starters to take a rest, as well as get an extended look at some your players. Good move.