|
 In routing the Philadelphia 76ers 99-74 Monday night at the
Smoothie King Center behind forward Anthony Davis' game-high 32
points and 10 rebounds, the Pelicans posted their season-high fourth
consecutive victory.
New Orleans (24-21) moved three games above .500 for the first time
since the 2010-11 season, Monty Williams' first as head coach.
After hovering around .500 for the first half of the season --
winning one and losing one with maddening consistency -- they now
seem to be hitting their stride.
With the Pelicans recording two straight wins to open a season-high,
six-game home stretch, Williams wants the team to be anything but
satisfied.
"I told our guys tonight that there's going to be a lot of
discussion about streaks and playoff contention," Williams said.
"Our goal is to play one game at a time. We're thankful for the win,
thankful for the winning streak. I'd like a 20-game win streak.
We're don't want to try to talk like we're San Antonio or Golden
State. I'm not downplaying it. I'm just sticking to the course."
Davis made five layups and five dunks in shooting 12-for-19 from the
floor, and he recorded his 26th double-double of the season. It was
the 12th time this season Davis scored at least 30 points, and he
credited the Pelicans' guards, especially Tyreke Evans, who had 12
assists.
"They definitely set me up and gave me the ball where I could
score," Davis said. "That's all they care about, moving the ball. It
doesn't matter who scores. Hitting me early is going to open the
lane for them later in the game."
The Pelicans had 28 assists on 39 made field goals.
The 76ers, who beat New Orleans 96-81 at home on Jan. 16 while Davis
was sidelined with a sore toe, lost for the 10th time in 11 road
games. Reserve guard K.J. McDaniels led Philadelphia (8-37) with 16
points.
Sixers coach Brett Brown said watching Davis up close was similar to
watching a thoroughbred going through his paces. Davis scored 19 of
his 32 points in the first half as New Orleans built a 52-43 lead.
"He is a stud," Brown said. "He is just one of those rare
cornerstones of a program that you can build around. I think Monty
has done an excellent job of featuring him and finding ways to go to
him, and the other players complement him. He is just one of the
elite players in the league."
Playing its second game in two nights, New Orleans led by as many as
25 points in the third quarter and coasted home. Forward Ryan
Anderson had 19 points off the bench, and guard Eric Gordon added 13
points.
"We really moved the ball well tonight," Anderson said. "Tyreke can
really control the game, and Anthony, man, he just showed what he
could do all over the floor. It was just a fun game to watch him.
Our team's confidence is at an all-time high. It's just fun
basketball."
[to top of second column] |
The Pelicans' dunk fest continued in the third quarter, with Davis
pouring in 13 points and flashing his jumping ability. His
right-hand bank shot and free throw started a 20-6 run that built
the Pelicans' lead to 81-59. Davis also had a fastbreak dunk down
the middle off a three-on-two on a nifty feed by Gordon. The
Pelicans outscored the 76ers 33-19 in the quarter to build an 85-62
lead.
The Pelicans held the Sixers to just 31 second-half points, the
second-lowest output for a half by Philadelphia this season.
Second-year 76ers center Nerlens Noel, who like Davis played at
Kentucky, struggled from the floor, hitting just one of nine shots
and scoring two points.
"I think I probably should have slowed my mind down," Noel said,
referring to his nervousness about facing Davis for the first time.
"I was thinking about my game too much. I need to have the mindset
of playing within myself."
Davis said the Pelicans are now poised to take off in the second
half of the season.
"We got tired of that .500 basketball," Davis said. "Coach told us
we had to put a couple of wins together. We're just coming out
playing hard and trying to rattle teams with our intensity and our
energy and let the defense lead to our offense."
NOTES: Philadelphia PG Michael Carter-Williams missed the game
because of an upper-respiratory infection. "It's just been a
progressive illness that has finally caught up with him," coach
Brett Brown said. Larry Drew II, who is on his second 10-day
contract, started in his place and scored four points. ... Pelicans
coach Monty Williams said he was encouraged by his team's recent
defensive efforts. In winning six of their past eight games, the
Pelicans allowed only one opponent to break the 100-point mark,
averaging 90.8 points allowed. "We've learned how to defend
consistently," Williams said. ... Williams was still wowed by F
Anthony Davis' swooping steal of an inbounds pass against the Dallas
Mavericks on Sunday that sealed the victory. "A.D. just made a great
play," Williams said. "That's a testament to the workout regimen
that he has in the summertime. His first year, he couldn't hold that
position."
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
