Warriors bolt past Pelicans in second half for 128-120 win

NEW ORLEANS — After an opening night embarrassment at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, the New Orleans Pelicans were looking to avoid an 0-2 start as they faced the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Though they led by as many as 15 points, the Pelicans were outscored 72-51 over the second and third quarters as the Warriors rallied for the 128-120 victory.

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 70 points, 31 rebounds, 10 assists, and six steals. The pair also accounted for 12 of the team’s 14 made free throws and 18 of its 22 attempts.

Davis’ 35 points and 17 rebounds once again put him in rare company. AD joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history with consecutive 30-point, 15-rebound games to open consecutive seasons.

The Pelicans started hot, just as they did against Memphis. Davis, Cousins and Jrue Holiday led the way as the Pelicans outhustled, outshot, and plain outplayed the Warriors in the opening quarter.

New Orleans was particular strong from long-range, hitting 8-14 threes. They also scored in transition and converted Golden St. mistakes into baskets, getting 10 points off of six Warrior turnovers in the period.

When Davis’ three-pointer found the net as the buzzer sounded to end the opening quarter, New Orleans had a surprising 39-26 lead and the sellout crowd at the Smoothie King Center was in a frenzy.

Holiday, who finished the game with 13 points (eight in the first quarter), felt the energy. “It’s fun, especially being the home opener, that is something we have to keep up all year, which is come out with that fight and we need to continue that and obviously next game that will be another focal point for us. Just playing like that and moving the ball that way has energy and it’s a fun way to play.”

Even the Pelicans reserves got into the action. Against the Grizzlies, New Orleans got a grand total of eight points from its bench. In the first half versus Golden Start, Ian Clark and Jordan Crawford combined for 19 points. The second unit ended the night with 31 points on 12-of-25 shooting.

But the Pelicans, just as they did against Memphis, struggled in the second in the third quarters. While Cousins was on the bench with three first half fouls, the defense failed to hold it down. The Pels failed to get out on shooters and their transition defense collapsed as the Warriors found several open looks available to them.

“We had a couple of bad possessions and when you have bad possessions against this team it usually turns into a wide open shot or a layup,” Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry said. “We have to do a better job in that area. You just can’t have bad possessions this team.”

Klay Thompson and Steph Curry were the biggest beneficiaries. Thompson scored 31 points in 37 minutes, including seven threes. Curry added 28 and eight assists.

Former MVP Kevin Durant looked like he was campaigning for Defensive Player of the Year. Durant had 22 points, but his career-high seven blocks (two coming with one shoe on), set the tone for the Golden State comeback.
“I just tried to contest every shot,” said Durant. ‘I tried to help my teammates on drives and I was able to be in the right position.”

“We didn’t have much bite to begin the first half,” added Head Coach Steve Kerr. “Then KD’s shot challenges and ball pressure in the second half was amazing. It really changed things.”

New Orleans saw a 15-point lead turn into an eight-point deficit heading into the fourth. The Pelicans kept pace, equaling the Warriors’ 30 points in the final period. However, the damage had been done and the Pelicans remain winless.

Interestingly enough, the mood in the locker room after the game was upbeat. The Pelicans had given the World Champions all they could handle, and for a team still trying to figure itself out, that was viewed as a big positive.

“We played great basketball and you have to understand that they’re the world champs,” Gentry added. “We knew that they were going to make a run back at us and they did it. I thought we sustained the energy level that we needed to.”

“We put ourselves in an opportunity where we had a couple of really good looks that could have cut it to a one possession game and we just didn’t get them in. I’m happy about the way we’re going. We’re still figuring everything out, but I think you can see that too that these guys are really good. We can do a lot of things with them.”

DeMarcus Cousins was just as encouraged. “Those last couple of seconds we were standing at the free throw line, we were all looking at each other, ‘we’re good’. We took another huge step tonight. I’m proud of the way we battled, looking forward to the next matchup. I think we are in a good place.”

There are good things happening for the Pelicans. But they are the known quantities coming into the season. Davis and Cousins remain unguardable.

The key is still what to do about Jrue Holiday. In two games, Holiday is averaging 8.5 points and 4 assists, with 2.5 turnovers while shooting 26 percent from the floor. With Rajon Rondo out for a few more games, Holiday has to be the player that the franchise invested so heavily in.

“He’s a tremendous player,” said Gentry. He’s going to get through it. I like that through the game I thought he was really aggressive and doing a lot of good things.”

“It’s just me,” Holiday said of his struggles. “Missing shots that I normally make. You just gotta make ‘em.”

There may be changes to the starting lineup in the team’s future. Gentry said the staff will look at switching roles for E’Twaun Moore and Ian Clark at the starting shooting guard position. Moore was scoreless in 26 minutes, while Clark scored 14 points (4-for-4 on three pointers). Moore has yet to make a three this season. Gentry did say he liked what Clark offers as a scorer off the bench and that no decision had been made.

Overall, it doesn’t seem that much has changed for the Pelicans since last season. Maybe Rajon Rondo’s eventual return will settle things. Maybe the Pels’ guards will get better and feeding Davis and Cousins in good post position. Maybe the bench will find a consistent offensive rhythm. Every year with this team, it’s maybe.

Now the Pelicans prepare for a three-game West Coast road trip where they will face the Lakers, Kings, and Trail Blazers. Anything less than a 2-1 effort would be disastrous with the team returning home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers next Saturday.

Two games into the season, we don’t know much about the New Orleans Pelicans other than they are 0-2. We’re sure to find out more over the next three games.