Pelicans (4-10), Hornets (8-4)
What a difference one player can make. Less than 24 hours after New Orleans dominated Portland for a double-figure win in Jrue Holiday’s season debut, the Pelicans posted a nail-biting victory, behind a second straight stellar game from the point guard.
It was anything but easy. New Orleans had to rally from an 11-point deficit in the final 5:55 of the fourth quarter, then survived the end of regulation when Charlotte’s Kemba Walker missed a decent mid-range look at the buzzer. In the extra period, Holiday and Anthony Davis combined to score the bulk of the home team’s points, as the Pelicans enjoyed a 13-8 edge. The Pelicans won consecutive games for the first time in 2016-17 and are 4-2 since an 0-8 start to the regular season.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Tim Frazier stepped to the foul line with 5.2 seconds left in overtime and sank a pair of free throws, giving New Orleans a two-possession advantage at 121-116. Charlotte had no timeouts remaining, forcing the Hornets to inbound from under their own defensive basket and use up precious time. A three-point heave just before the final horn misfired and the rebound was collected by Davis, his 16th board.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
It’s become so commonplace at this stage, but Davis delivered another monster performance, to the tune of 38 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
