Pelicans stars shine in big win over Spurs to boost playoff seeding

"We don't stop here… The playoffs are really about who wants it more, and we've got that mindset." – @AntDavis23 with @JenHale504@PelicansNBA | #DOitBIGGER pic.twitter.com/dZ29JvD4u0

— FOXSports NewOrleans (@FOXSportsNOLA) April 12, 2018

When one star puts up a double-double, that is the norm. When two stars do so, you feel better about your chances of winning. When three turn the trick and a fourth star leads you in scoring, the opponent can forget it.

The trio of Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic and Anthony Davis all doubled their pleasure in a dominating 122-98 victory Wednesday night over the San Antonio Spurs.

Davis overcame shaky shooting night with 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. Mirotic had 21 points and 15 rebounds and Rajon Rondo had 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 23 points and added seven assists. New Orleans shot nearly 59 percent from the field and held the Spurs to under 41 percent shooting. New Orleans finished with 30 assists on 52 made shots.

It was appropriate that the opening basket for the Pelicans was a dunk by Anthony Davis off of a pass by Rajon Rondo. Davis has enjoyed his best season while Rondo was terrific on this night.

With the victory and other results Wednesday, the Pelicans will face the Portland Trailblazers in the opening round of the postseason as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. If New Orleans had lost their finale, a series with top seed Houston would have been their fate.

New Orleans turned it over on two of their first three possessions before settling into the game. Veterans Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili came off the bench to spark San Antonio but New Orleans led 27-26 after one quarter.

The Pels blitzed the Spurs 34-17 in the second quarter to take a 61-43 halftime lead. It proved to be the decisive quarter.

New Orleans shot 60 percent from the field in the first half (25-of-41). Mirotic had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. Holiday had 12 points and four assists. Rajon Rondo was outstanding, scoring eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and dished out eight assists with brilliant passes. Davis had eight points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.

San Antonio’s bench outscored its starters 24-19 in the half.

The real difference was in fast break points, where New Orleans sped up the Spurts, who don’t like that pace, outscoring San Antonio 20-2. The Pelicans dominated the paint as well, outscoring the Spurs 38-22. The Pelicans also had 17 assists on its 25 made shots, a continuing positive trend.

New Orleans made sure that San Antonio had no shot at a comeback, maintaining its 18-point edge through three quarters and they coasted to victory, able to rest stars in the final five minutes.

The Pelicans dominated the boards 51-38 and won fast break points 32-17. New Orleans crushed San Antonio 78-42 in the paint.

Highlights from tonight's FANtastic FANale. #DoItBigger pic.twitter.com/WgBKYYKRv9

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 12, 2018

New Orleans has won 48 games for the first time since the 2008-09 season, when the Hornets won 49 games and lost in the opening round of the playoffs to Denver four games to one.

The Pelicans enter the postseason on a five-game win streak. Alvin Gentry has settled his rotation to eight men, though he may have to go slightly deeper in the playoffs, depending on matchups. Cheick Diallo is the obvious choice for a few minutes with his length and energy which he brings to the court. Otherwise, Ian Clark, Darius Miller and Solomon Hill are those guys in reserve.

Gentry can sell ironing out issues heading to the playoffs as New Orleans committed 19 turnovers.

Other than that, it is hard to find fault with New Orleans.

The Pelicans finish the regular season 48-34. That includes identical 24-17 records at home and on the road.

Teams that win on the road can win in the playoffs. The Pelicans must win at home to have any shot in the playoffs. With increased fan support, the home court advantage at Smoothie King Center may increase. It has to.

It is safe to say that Gentry and Dell Demps will return next season. They have earned it. This team came through in a huge way down the stretch in a brutal conference, having to win 48 games to even make the postseason. They did so in outstanding fashion, particularly without DeMarcus Cousins, going 21-13 without the big guy.

Now comes the second season, the first since 2014-15 for the Pelicans and the second overall for Davis, who will try to show the world just how good he is and has been this season, where he played at an MVP level. He will not get that award, thanks to a great season by James Harden and another brilliant performance by LeBron James.

Davis is a superstar. The Pelicans are in the playoffs. Following a very good New Orleans Saints season, it is a good time to be a New Orleans sports fan.