ATLANTA – After both spent what may have seemed like an interminable nine months without playing in an NBA game, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson are now back in action for the New Orleans Pelicans. Two games into the 2014 preseason, the pair have some ground to cover to get back into form, but the signs have been positive.
Anderson tallied double-digit points for a second straight game Monday, while Holiday registered 13 points in the second and third quarters, after he was scoreless Saturday vs. Miami. Despite those contributions, Atlanta grabbed a big lead in the first half and led the rest of the way in its exhibition opener.
Holiday, who was 0-for-2 from the field against the Heat, missed his first four shots vs. the Hawks, but rebounded nicely to make five of his final nine shots Monday. The point guard, whose final game of the 2013-14 regular season was back on Jan. 8, scored all of his points in the second and third quarters. He logged a total of 25 minutes, twice as much as he played Saturday.
“I think last game I probably took two shots,” the 2013 All-Star with Philadelphia said. “Today I took 13 or 14. Just trying to get back into a rhythm; my first four or five shots were terrible, terrible shots. (Monty Williams) just kept telling me it’s going to take time, keep on shooting.”
Meanwhile, Anderson also caught fire in the second quarter, following up his 12-point game Saturday with 14 points. He’s 7-for-14 from three-point range over the two preseason games, after he was on a similar pace last season until he sustained a harrowing season-ending injury Jan. 3.
“I feel good,” Anderson said of his return to the hardwood. “I definitely feel like I need to get my footing better when I’m going off the dribble. I feel a little bit off-balance. Maybe it’s strength, maybe it’s lack of getting that stability. I feel fine shooting regular spot-up threes or running into a shot; I just need to work on my moves off the dribble. I feel pretty good as far as shape.”
Anderson and Holiday were among five Pelicans who reached double digits in scoring, followed by Eric Gordon (12 points), Anthony Davis (11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block) and reserve guard Jimmer Fredette (10 points). However, New Orleans (1-1) shot very poorly from the field (36.6 percent) and the foul line (18-for-28).
Atlanta (1-0) took advantage of a slow start, grabbing a 34-18 edge after the first period. The Hawks went up by as many as 21 points, before the Pelicans chipped away but couldn’t complete a late comeback attempt.
“I think we started off a little slow,” Holiday said. “Our first group sets the tone for the game. To come out like we did, it’s hard to come back from that, after digging a hole.”