Pelicans Defy Logic Again, Beat Toronto Raptors 95-93

The Pelicans continue their streak of being the most confusing and sporadic team in the NBA. Over their last 8 games they have slaughtered the Rockets, Grizzlies, Pistons and now Raptors while losing to the Hornets, Wizards, Celtics and 76ers.

Since new year’s, the Pelicans have beat almost every contending team they face, while losing to almost every lottery team.

Earlier today (4 p.m. EST), the Pelicans continued to defy the laws of basketball logic by beating the current Eastern Conference #3-seeded Toronto Raptors 95-93 — despite missing both Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.

This Pelicans team has not lost more than 3 games in a row this season and haven’t won more than 2 consecutive games, and it would seem that they will do whatever it takes to remain exactly 500.

Fittingly, they are a dead-even 20-20 and continue to stupefy anyone who tries to understand why.

Both teams started the game ugly, but the Pelicans quickly gained the edge defensively due to the fact that Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik succeeded as a ‘twin towers’ front court duo.

The Raptors struggled to score throughout the first half, and they went into the second half with only 36 points; which ties this past Wednesday’s game against the Pistons at Detroit, as the lowest amount the Pelicans have allowed this season.

Jan 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Eric Gordon (10) shoots as Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Pelicans beat the Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Gordon continued to struggle as a playmaker. His ball handling is the aspect of his game which has regressed the most since his Clipper days, and it was clear he couldn’t fill the void left by Jrue Holiday’s absence.

Tyreke Evans forced himself to remain aggressive though, much like in the loss to Indiana this season he is able to penetrate and break apart many of the tough interior defensive teams in the league.

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Tyreke and Ajinca were able to score at will, while the Asik-Ajinca twin towers lineup held the Raptors in check defensively throughout the first half.

The third quarter was a different story. Despite the fact that Asik and Ajinca had such surprising chemistry, Monty Williams pulled Ajinca out and the Raptors responded with a 22-4 run.

The Pelicans also committed some embarrassing shooting fouls, three times today they fouled a Raptor on a three point attempt which led to 9 easy points for the opposition. Grevis Vasquez also took advantage early, he was 4-9 from deep and ended the game with 16 points and 9 assists of the bench.

The fourth quarter was when the Pelicans chose to respond. Despite the Raptors advantage at the line the Pelicans rallied for a 9-0 run by continuing to utilize the Ajinca-Asik front court duo, and forcing the Raptors away from the rim as a result.

By the last few minutes of the game the Pelicans had outscored the raptors 60-34 in the paint and Ajinca had reached a career high of 22 points on 10-13 shooting.

Jan 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) battles for a rebound against Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) and forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) at Air Canada Centre. The Pelicans beat the Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

In the last minute of the game Asik blocked a shot which touched both Ajinca and Derozan‘s hands before going out-of-bounds. The entire arena held their breath as the refs reviewed the footage to decide who would be granted the final possession of the game with both teams tied at 93.

The Pelicans were given the possession and Tyreke courageously took his signature isolation out of the timeout. He drove past his man and finished a lay-up over four defenders to ice the game with just over a second left.

Tyreke ended with 26 points, Ajinca with a career high 22. The Pelicans remained at 500 despite competing without their two best players.

With the Lakers, Knicks, and Timberwolves coming up on their schedule, this team might just be able to finally achieve a winning record. Given the way that the season has gone however, if you’re a Pelicans fan — it may be a good idea not to count on it……

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