Pelicans Power Past Heat in Fourth Quarter, Win 104-102
By Mike Delayo
Head Coach of the Pelicans has been hammered by media and fans alike for most of this season. If guys were not hitting shots, Monty was not preparing them enough.
If the Pels were allowing easy buckets, Monty’s scheme was to blame. Sure, he has been the one at fault at times. But if he gets the blame when things go wrong, he deserves the credit when they start to go right.
Monty’s Pelicans (31-27), down by 9 coming into the fourth quarter, extinguished the Miami Heat (25-32) in the final frame, winning 104-102.
More from New Orleans Pelicans
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Houston Rockets, round three
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Indiana Pacers
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide for Christmas Day
The center position for New Orleans took this game over tonight.
Alexis Ajinca led the charge, putting up a career best 24 points on only 10 shots! All night, Ajinca was performing as if he had been a game changing center his whole career.
Whether it was from the free throw line (where he was 6-8), from mid range or from right under the basket, the French backup just would not miss. After seeing Quincy Pondexter score his career high on Wednesday, it is safe to say Ajinca did not want to be outdone.
Omer Asik came in and did his job once again: he used his big body to play big. Miami’s offense was quite effective tonight, especially in the paint.
Asik’s performance in this respect should not be undermined due to this. He still managed to change a multitude of other wise easy looks, including a last second swat on Miami’s final possession.
Even though he rushed a pass to Eric Gordon resulting in a turnover and a final opportunity for the Heat, all can be forgiven. Asik defended the rim with his life to close out both of the Pels last two games. He and Ajinca were the driving force in tonight’s game.
Feb 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) goes up for the game-winning basket as Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) defends at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 104-102. Mandatory Credit: Rusty Costanza-USA TODAY Sports
When Henry Walker and Michael Beasley are draining threes against any team in the league, it should be easy to assume that it is simply not their night.
Those two combined for 23 points including 16 from Walker alone. His long bombs from three point range were what helped keep Miami in the game until the end.
Norris Cole had a pretty rough night from the field, finishing with a whopping 0-10 from the field. Cole is not on the floor to score.
More from Big Easy Believer
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
His first three games with the Pels, where he scored in double digits each night, were a blessing rather than an expectation. His energy is amazing and as long as he keeps that up, he will be fine.
Cole was not the only guard to struggle tonight. Dwayne Wade finished 4-16 from the field and only garnered 4 free throw attempts.
Wade is still the star of the Heat, and when he is ice cold it will be tough for them to win. In the fourth quarter, the Heat finally started to cool off. Through the first six minutes Miami only had 6 points, all thanks a couple of Mario Chalmers three pointers.
With a little over nine minutes to play Miami was out of fouls to give, meaning the Pelicans had a chance to claw back into the game from the free throw line.
Ajinca and Dante Cunningham took advantage, draining most of their combined 10 free throws during this time frame.
After a sizeable break, both Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon came back into the game. Monty somehow managed to allow his team to erase a double digit deficit while keeping the two men running the show on the bench. Absolutely brilliant.
The rest paid off immediately, with Evans dishing to Gordon on a fast break for a layup. Soon after, Gordon drained a deep three to tie the game at 98.
Tyreke, who was at 5 fouls, was feeling a little too good after he knocked down a long 2 point jumper. He got called for a charge with about 90 seconds to play, forcing him to the bench.
Feb 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Rusty Costanza-USA TODAY Sports
Fortunately, thanks to a couple of brilliant high screen and rolls from Gordon and Ajinca, the Pels were able to snatch the victory.
Evans and Gordon are usually the high volume shooters for this team. Tonight, they combined for a wonderfully efficient 16-30 from the field including 5-9 from three for a total of 39 points.
With a combined 19 assists thrown into the mix, this was an extremely efficient bounce back effort for the Pelicans backcourt.
All night, the rotations rolled out by Monty worked to perfection. Hopefully, he and the rest of the team can keep this momentum going.
Without Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans have matched their season high win streak at 4. They hope to extend it on Sunday when they take on the Denver Nuggets.
With the 8th and final Playoff spot in the Western Conference still within reach and all the more impressive without Davis’ contribution, no less — the Pelicans picked the right time to finally “get hot”……….