featured-image

Best New Orleans Pelicans individual games of 2014-15

A look back at the best game played by each New Orleans Pelicans player during the first half of the 2014-15 regular season prior to the All-Star break:

ALEXIS AJINCA

Playing without the injured Anthony Davis on the road against Atlantic Division-leading Toronto on Jan. 18, Ajinca delivered the finest game of his NBA career. In 34 minutes of action, he tallied a career-best 22 points, along with six rebounds, as the Pelicans posted a dramatic two-point win over the Raptors. Ajinca was a stellar 10-for-13 from the field. || WATCH: THROWDOWN 1 | THROWDOWN 2

RYAN ANDERSON

Something about the Cleveland Cavaliers brings out the very best in the long-range marksman. In a 119-114 win over the Cavs on Dec. 12, Anderson drained eight three-pointers and racked up 30 points. He was 9-for-18 from the field and 4-for-4 on free throws. On Nov. 10 in a loss at Cleveland, Anderson sank eight treys and poured in 32 points.

OMER ASIK

Asik didn’t waste any time making a big impression with his new NBA team. In his first game as a Pelican on Oct. 28 vs. Orlando, he was outstanding across the board, finishing with 14 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks. He was 7-for-10 from the field and collected seven offensive rebounds, helping key a 101-84 win for New Orleans. || WATCH: OMER SLAM

LUKE BABBITT

En route to becoming one of the NBA’s most accurate three-point shooters this season, the southpaw was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc Nov. 14 vs. Minnesota, accounting for all of his 12 points. The Pelicans set franchise records in that game by going 15-for-20 on three-pointers and winning by a 48-point margin, 139-91 over the Timberwolves.

DANTE CUNNINGHAM

The in-season addition was instrumental during one of New Orleans’ most impressive road wins, a 99-90 triumph at Houston on Dec. 18. Cunningham relied partly on his feathery mid-range jumper to shoot 6-for-10 from the field vs. the Rockets and score 15 points, including nailing his first three-pointer of the season. He also grabbed five rebounds.

ANTHONY DAVIS

On pace to author one of the greatest statistical seasons in NBA history, it’s not easy to pick one Davis performance. Perhaps the best illustration of how far Davis has come as an offensive player took place Nov. 22 at Utah, when he rang up a career-best 43 points. The two-time All-Star was 16-for-23 from the field and 11-for-12 on free throws. 

TONEY DOUGLAS

After playing professionally in China earlier this season, Douglas initially signed with the Pelicans in early February on a 10-day contract. In just his third appearance for New Orleans, Douglas packed 14 points and seven assists into a 25-minute night vs. Indiana. The Pelicans outscored the Pacers by 11 points when he was on the floor.

TYREKE EVANS

Evans' all-around ability was on full display Feb. 6 at Oklahoma City, when he posted his first triple-double of the season, featuring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists. His 16th assist vs. the Thunder resulted in the most memorable play of the Pelicans’ season – a 30-foot, buzzer-beating three-pointer by Anthony Davis. NOLA won 116-113.

JIMMER FREDETTE

Facing a double-digit deficit at San Antonio on New Year’s Eve, Fredette brought the Pelicans back into position to win, before they fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Spurs. Fredette was scoreless until the 1:30 mark of the third quarter, but racked up 14 points after that, including a basket in overtime. He was 5-for-8 from the field (2-for-3 on treys).

ERIC GORDON

In arguably his most valuable performance since coming to New Orleans in 2011-12, Gordon notched 28 points and seven assists during a 108-103 win Jan. 30 over the Los Angeles Clippers, his former NBA team. Part of a multi-game stretch in which Gordon was hot from long distance, he sank five of seven three-point attempts vs. the Clippers.

JRUE HOLIDAY

He didn’t shoot well Dec. 21 at Oklahoma City (4-for-12 from the field), but he handed out a season-high 15 assists, one key to a 101-99 road win. Just as importantly, Holiday played sticky man-to-man vs. Russell Westbrook, who shot 10-for-27. Holiday swiped the ball from Westbrook and assisted an Anthony Davis dunk for the game’s final points. || WATCH: HOLIDAY TO DAVIS

QUINCY PONDEXTER

An in-season trade acquisition, Pondexter made vital contributions at both ends of the floor Feb. 6 at Oklahoma City, including scoring 15 points, his top offensive game of the season to that point. Facing a Thunder team he’s battled numerous times in the NBA postseason as a member of the Grizzlies, Pondexter sank three clutch three-pointers.

JOHN SALMONS

On a night when New Orleans was struggling mightily to generate offense, Salmons provided a spark Nov. 28 at Atlanta, sinking three three-pointers to account for all of his nine points. The Pelicans’ most experienced player also handed out four assists against the Hawks, who led 41-28 at halftime but had to hold on late for a 100-91 win.

JEFF WITHEY

With starting center Omer Asik sidelined during a four-game Western Conference road trip, Withey capitalized on an opportunity to contribute Nov. 22 at Utah, scoring eight points in only 11 minutes of playing time. He was also a factor on the defensive end, credited with two blocks and one steal during the Pelicans’ 106-94 victory.