Anthony Davis and Pelicans gang up on Timberwolves in 3rd QTR to coast to victory, 117-96

Go ahead and etch it in stone for the umpteenth time: Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the world and the Minnesota Timberwolves are horrendously allergic to third quarters.

Anthony Davis came out hotter than a firecracker, scoring 21 points on 8-11 from the floor in the first quarter. He would go on to finish with 45 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 threes and 2 steals. Tonight’s game marked the 10th time AD has surpassed the 40-point barrier in his career — that’s 5 more times than Chris Paul was able to manage during his tenure in New Orleans.

The rest of the Pelicans team decided to put on their superman capes after halftime, beating up on the Timberwolves by a 36-18 margin in the third quarter. But if we want to be real, it was probably inevitable. As mentioned in the game preview, Minnesota really struggles out of halftimes, and tonight was no different.

Either way, that’s four straight wins, and had the games started counting on November 10th, New Orleans would be 6-2! As it’s become commonplace during this winning streak, the offense is knocking down shots — Pelicans were 9-24 tonight from 3-point range — and the defense isn’t suffering through horrible stretches overloaded with multiple breakdowns.

What should we be thankful for?

A basketball team that may be better than their 6-10 overall record indicates. In their last 8 games, the Pelicans have a top-10 defense and offense.

It’s impressive to note that the Pelicans have just completed two consecutive back-to-back sweeps because as the PR department recently tweeted, it failed to happen just once all of last season!

And in case you’re wondering, the last time consecutive back-to-back sweeps happened? The 2010-11 season.

Maybe Zachary Junda is right: it’s time!

Game Notes

• Terrence Jones had himself another favorable ballgame: 17 points, 7 rebounds and 1 nice block on Andrew Wiggins at the rim.

Jones has scored 15 points or more in 5 of the last 6 games. He is shaping up to be the biggest free agent steal of the offseason, but damn, wouldn’t it have been nice if the front office had tied him up for multiple years?

• For a change of pace, Jrue Holiday was quiet, scoring just 7 points on 8 shot attempts. However, please don’t overlook all the other stuff: 8 assists, fantastic hustle on defense and the 4 free throw attempts. Watching the Timberwolves stay in the game in the 1st half thanks to the charity stripe reinforced the idea that the Pelicans need someone besides Davis to consistently get to the free throw line. Fortunately, Tyreke Evans sounds like he’s going to return in the very near future so maybe this issue will work itself out?
• Tim Frazier stuffed the scoresheet again: 11 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 threes. We’ll give you a pass for the 5 turnovers, Tim, cause Thanksgiving!
• E’Twaun Moore had the floater game working and added 12 points on 9 shots. That’s good because Buddy Hield continues to struggle. Since the Los Angeles Lakers game, he hasn’t looked right. Of course with Jamal Murray stroking it of late, the hot takes are flying from every which direction so it’d be nice if practice gym Buddy starts making an appearance every so often during a live game. Personally, I’m not worried about him at all and feel everyone needs to give him a longer leash. I don’t care that he’s 23 years of age because it’s not talent that’s inhibiting him right now; it’s a severe lack of confidence and likely a very cluttered mind. /rant
• Omer Asik caught some passes, scored 6 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and defended the paint area well.
• Dante Cunningham had to leave the game with a left knee injury and failed to return. In his place, Solomon Hill did some nice things but scoring was again not one of them.
• Add three more three-pointers for Langston Galloway who now leads the team with 29 makes on the year.
• Newcomer Anthony Brown drilled two threes in garbage time!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!