Heart, character pulls Pelicans through to win over Lakers

There is no other conclusion to be reached.

The 2017-2018 New Orleans Pelicans have heart, character and enough talent to make the playoffs.

That was on full display again Thursday night in a thrilling, come-from-behind 128-125 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Smoothie King Center.

On Wednesday night, the Pelicans played perhaps their best defensive game of the season in a tough 96-92 win over Indiana. Thursday night, the Pelicans played little or no defense until it mattered most.

Julius Randle scored on a layup with 3:31 remaining to give the Lakers a 125-121 lead. Los Angeles would not score again, thanks to improved defense by New Orleans and horrible decisions and shooting by Lonzo Ball.

The Lakers rookie has skill.

He sees the floor well, distributes well and rebounds well. What he cannot do is shoot, at all.

That is obvious and it is well known to opponents, as well as to the Lakers. That is why it was very curious why Ball was firing up 3-pointers in crunch time, with the game on the line.

Ball missed a trio of 3-pointers in the final 2:13. The Pelicans were more than happy to leave him open, even alone, inviting him to shoot. Ball obliged, costing his team the ball game. He was 2-of-15 from the field and inexplicably attempted 12 shots from 3-point range, making just one. It is hard to envision Ball improving his shot unless he radically changes his form and release.

Then, there was Rajon Rondo.

The veteran guard hit a critical 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 125-124 with 2:28 to play and put New Orleans ahead to stay on a driving layup at 126-125 with 2:01 to play. He was simply superb with 25 points, 10 assists and three steals and was 11-of-18 from the field. Rondo took advantage of Isaiah Thomas and his size and lack of defensive prowess much of the evening. That, after he and Thomas feuded and were ejected the last time they faced each other.

Anthony Davis, who was gassed at game’s end, had 33 points and nine rebounds. Jrue Holiday was outstanding, going 12-of-16 from the field for 26 points and six assists.

When the game slowed down a bit, things got better for New Orleans.

The Lakers were a fresh team and they were thriving in an open floor game. They still may have won, were it not for Rondo and Ball. They were the worst kind of team to play on the final game of three straight, given their penchant to run at all costs. Fortunately, the Lakers are allergic to defense at this stage of their development. They are a dangerous team moving forward.

Fittingly, Davis clinched the win by hitting a pair of clutch free throws and got the steal in the final second to put the game away.

The Pelicans took care of the basketball, committing just seven turnovers to 16 for Los Angeles. The Pelicans shot 54.7 percent from the field and needed every ounce of it. The Lakers made 17 shots from 3-point range and had four players with 20 points or more. New Orleans crushed the Lakers in the paint, outscoring the Lakers 80-48.

With nine games to go, New Orleans is three and a half games clear of ninth-place Denver and tied for fourth with Oklahoma City at 43-30.

If you thought three games in three nights was tough, consider what comes next.

The Pelicans play four games in nine days, including at Houston, against the top team in the league and at Cleveland, a finals team the last two years. The home games are against scalding hot Portland, third in the West, and the Thunder.

With nine games left, the Pelicans are poised.

New Orleans became the first team since the Supersonics in 1979 to win three straight home games in three days. It is as rare as it gets. This season is beginning to become a rare one. Dell Demps suddenly looks good, as does Alvin Gentry. Davis looks great and his teammates are looking good. Remember Demarcus Cousins? That makes this run even more impressive.

In closing his post-game press conference, Gentry summed it up.

“I am friggin’ exhausted,” Gentry said. “I can’t imagine how they (players) feel.”

Go get some rest, Alvin. You have earned it. Your players have earned it even more with their courageous performance in the face of adversity with their character and heart. Let us appreciate their talent as well.