Pelicans Shine vs. Suns for 1st Win Streak of Season

After coming away with a much needed win against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans (3-11) lit up the scoreboard against the Phoenix Suns in the Smoothie King Center on Sunday night for a 122-116 victory — and incredibly earned their very first winning streak with nearly one month already gone by in the 2015-2016 regular season.

The Suns (7-6) have been one of the league’s most explosive teams so far this season. They entered tonight ranked third in points per game, third in field goal percentage and second in threes made.

Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe have been exceptional so far this season, but only the latter was able to keep up his level of play against the Pels. Bledsoe was extremely efficient, scoring 29 points on 15 shots while also tallying 7 rebounds and 6 assist.

He was a force in the paint, whether he was finishing a tough layup or getting to the line. He knocked down 11-12 from the charity stripe, and even knocked down 4 of his eight three point attempts. Bledsoe has never been known for his perimeter shooting and sports a 33% mark from deep on his career. But this season he has that up to 38% on 4 shots a game, a scary development for everyone in the NBA.

Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Knight started the game 0-9 from the field and finished only 5-18. When Jrue Holiday was on the court, he did a fantastic job in limiting the high percentage looks for Knight. But even when he was able to find himself wide open he just was not hitting tonight, a big reason why the Pelicans were able to hang on.

Based on the final score it would probably seem improbable that anyone got shut down tonight. However, the insane pace that these two teams play at are a big reason for the inflated total.

Phoenix is ranked second in pace (102.4 possessions per game) and New Orleans is not far behind at eleven (99.9). These teams love to run, and the matchup between them was destined to be entertaining if nothing else. Granted, neither team has performed particularly well on the defensive end this season, which made all of that scoring that much easier.

Anthony Davis was back to doing Anthony Davis things tonight for the Pelicans, leading the way for his team with 32 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks. No shot was bigger for The Brow than his three pointer with a minute to play to give the Pelicans a three point lead.

Nov 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won, 122-116. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

On the possession before, Mirza Teletovic and Markieff Morris executed a perfect double team on Davis and forced a turnover. They had similar success the next time down, not giving Davis any room to breathe.

With time winding down on the shot clock, Davis got rid of the ball and made his way a couple of feet behind the three point line. Teletovic, Morris and the rest of the Suns had to live with that shot. Quite frankly, the Pelicans will live with any shot that comes out of the hands of Anthony Davis.

He is not the only one that has been feeling it as of late. Ryan Anderson was a point away from his third straight 30 point game tonight and continued to display incredible efficiency on the offensive end.

He was 8-14 from the field, 4-7 from deep, and a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line. Whenever he goes up for a shot, everyone on the team thinks it is going in. Not only does he have confidence in himself to keep letting the ball fly, but his teammates do as well.

His shots are falling from deep, which is awesome, but his energy off of the dribble has been what has really caught my eye. Tonight, he beat Teletovic off the dribble and took the ball to the rack, rising for a slam dunk. He pulled off a nearly identical jam against the Spurs on Friday night as well.

Nov 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) knocks the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won, 122-116. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Those plays were simply not on the agenda over the last couple of years. I have said it before and I will say it again: Anderson is in the best shape of his life, and his game will only continue to thrive as a result.

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Eric Gordon and Ish Smith had a rough time getting the ball to drop tonight, shooting a combined 12-31 from the field. However, they still played a big part in the Pelicans victory.

Gordon may have shot a poor percentage overall, but 5-12 from behind the arc is good enough to get the job done. He has not been hitting at a league best rate like he was last season, but all shooters have their rough patches. What is important is that Gordon keeps getting shots off, because the Pelicans need his scoring out of the back court.

At one point early on in the first quarter, Gordon misses from three point range ended Pelicans possessions. So what do the Pels do on the next run down? They find Gordon for a wide open three, which he knocks down with ease. Gone are the days of pump faking a wide open attempt. Keep letting that ball fly, and good things will happen.

Nov 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) shoots while defended by Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won, 122-116. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Ish Smith continues to defy pretty much all expectations. Most people around the league know that Ish is fast. But he IS fast. His ability to find the tiniest holes in defenses probably makes Sean Payton consider offering him a spot in his backfield.

The speed with which he can penetrate the three point line and kick it out to his teammates or finish at the rim gives opponents so little time to react that even though they know what is coming, they simply can’t stop it.

Smith being ranked among the top five in assists seemed like an anomaly that would correct itself as the season moved on. With each game, it is becoming more and more apparent that his production is no mistake.

The Pelicans now sit at 3-11 after tacking together two wins at home in the past few days. They will play the Suns again this Wednesday night in Phoenix as they continue to try and turn this season around…….