Pelicans continue streak with workmanlike win in Charlotte

This was not a spectacular win over the best team in the East, as we saw in Boston. It was not a spectacular comeback over an improving team, as we saw against Chicago.

What is was is the kind of win you need frequently to be a successful team in the NBA.

Two nights after the dramatic double overtime victory over the Bulls, the Pelicans avoided a letdown and took care of business in Charlotte against another sub .500 team in a 101-96 victory Wednesday night.

It was not easy.

New Orleans jumped out to a 32-21 lead after one quarter before the reserves gave up the lead in the second quarter. With starters back on the floor, New Orleans regained a 56-53 lead by halftime. For a change, the Pelicans did not lose the third quarter, getting a 20-20 standoff.

Fortunately, no overtime was needed this time around.

The two teams both appeared a bit fatigued and were not sharp. The Pelicans had to dig deep to win it and they did. That is what good teams do. The Pelicans are starting to look the part of a good team.

Granted, the last three wins were against losing teams but that is also what good teams do—beat the teams they are supposed to beat. If it were not for the late collapse in a 94-93 loss at Atlanta on Jan. 17, the Pelicans would have a seven-game win streak.

Instead, they have won six of seven games, their best stretch of the season.

Demarcus Cousins came down to earth after his monumental effort against the Bulls. Cousins took only 10 shots and scored 16 points. He pulled down 13 rebounds and added five blocked shots and five assists to offset an alarming eight turnovers.

Anthony Davis had modest numbers with 19 points and just six rebounds. He added four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

That, in itself, is extremely encouraging. New Orleans won despite its two best players having less than stellar performances.

Jrue Holiday continued his fine play with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. It was Holiday’s defense on Charlotte leading scorer Kemba Walker that was most instrumental in the victory. Holiday held Walker to a modest 20 points, below his average, on 8-for-21 shooting.

New Orleans defended well in the final minute, outscoring Charlotte 5-1 in that span for the victory. Holiday and Davis each made two key free throws while Cousins split a pair of free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

New Orleans won despite 15 turnovers and being outrebounded 49-42. The defense was solid, holding Carolina to under 43 percent shooting from the field. It was a rare occasion for the New Orleans bench to outscore its opponent, as the Pelicans did 27-26 against the Hornets reserves.

With the win, the Pelicans are now 13-12 on the road, an excellent mark.

Now 26-21, the Pelicans return home for three games, beginning with high-flying Houston on Friday night at Smoothie King Center before a national television audience. The Pelicans must become a better home team. While 13-9 is okay, good teams post better records in their buildings.

The Rockets have won three straight and are 33-12, the second best record in the West and the third best record in the league. The Rockets won 130-123 on Dec. 11 in Houston despite 37 points from Holiday. When James Harden and Chris Paul play together, the Rockets seldom lose. It will take a huge effort from New Orleans to win.

After Houston, the hot Clippers come to town Sunday for another key matchup with a playoff contender before lowly Sacramento completes the homestand next Tuesday evening.

It was a lunch pail, workmanlike victory for the Pelicans, the kind that separates average teams from good teams. At last, the Pelicans are becoming a good team.