3 IN A ROW: Pelicans Showing Signs of Life

Just one short week ago, the New Orleans Pelicans were at the bottom of the NBA with a league-worst 1-11 record, as a team decimated by injury was about to be given its last burial rites not even one month into the 2015-2016 NBA season.

But for those who were about to give the Pelicans a second-line jazz funeral befitting of a team that had won 1 game in a month’s worth of game action, that send-off was apparently a bit premature.

The Pelicans (4-11) have now won three straight games, with the last two coming against this 7-8 Phoenix Suns team that they defeated once again out in the desert.

Fifteen minutes into the game the Suns had scored 50 points, and it looked like it was going to be another long night for the Pelicans. From that point on, they were able to turn things around and ultimately come out on top by a score of 120-114.

After falling behind in a blink of an eye to start the game, the Pelicans were able to slice the lead to two right at the halftime buzzer thanks to a deep three from Ish Smith.

Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee (15) drives to the basket in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The hot shooting from Brandon Knight kick-started the Suns, as the young point guard scored 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter. Just days ago, Knight went ice cold in New Orleans shooting an abysmal 5-18 from the field.

He is averaging more than 21 points on the season with a solid 44% mark from the field, so the Knight that showed up tonight was by no means an imposter.

Knight and the rest of the Suns carved up the Pelicans defense in those first 15 minutes. Assistant Coach Phil Weber said it best at halftime, citing a lack of urgency from the entire unit. The Pels were giving up more open jump shots and clear runs to the rim than ever before this season, and that is saying something.

Turnovers were taking their toll early as well, with the first 4 New Orleans giveaways resulting in 10 points going the other way. Though they did end up turning the ball over another 10 times throughout the course of the game, Phoenix was not able to capitalize on the mistakes nearly as efficiently

Some credit has to go to the Suns though, whose offense has been among the league’s best so far this season.

However, there is a fine line between great offense and terrible defense, and it was clear that the Pelicans were displaying the latter for much of the first half.

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Luckily, Anthony Davis and company had no trouble scoring themselves. Davis started 9-10 from the field and finished with an extremely efficient 26 points on 11-14 shooting.

During this Pelicans win streak, Davis is averaging 26 points and 18 rebounds a game. I think its safe to say that he is feeling a-ok.

He and Ish Smith continue to look fantastic together on the court as well. The pair connected on a couple more alley-oops that are starting to become more and more commonplace, a trend that you will never hear me complaining about.

Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ish continues to shine on his own as well. His stat line tonight looked like this: 36 minutes, 20 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds and only 2 turnovers. As each game goes by, this kinds of performances are becoming more and more commonplace.

Dare I say his 18 points and 11 assists per game over the last three is reminiscent of one Chris Paul?

Let’s not get carried away. Smith is playing the best basketball of his career though, so we might as well appreciate him while he is getting the job done.

Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson joined Davis and Smith in the 20 point club tonight as well, and Jrue Holiday missed the cut by a single point. It is fun to watch Davis completely take over a game sometimes, but sometimes in the past the Pelicans have forced him the ball.

Last season there was the debacle over Davis needing to take a certain amount of shots a game. Sure, it makes perfect sense to have the ball in the best players hands as often as possible.

But when the offense is flowing like this and everyone is getting involved, getting good looks and not forcing anything, it all becomes so much easier for everyone.

The Suns are not a defensive juggernaut by any means, but if the Pelicans can keep up this kind of offensive production while cutting down on their costly mistakes this team will not only continue to put on an exciting show, but continue to win games.

They will take the court to try and extend their winning streak this Friday in Los Angeles against Chris Paul and the Clippers.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!