DENVER – Essentially counted out by many observers around the NBA exactly one week ago, New Orleans continues to defy expectations, winning its fifth straight game Sunday, despite playing without All-Star forward Anthony Davis and two other key performers. Seven days ago, Davis (shoulder) was ruled out for 1-2 weeks, while Ryan Anderson (knee) was given a timetable of 2-4 weeks to return from injury. Yet since that news last weekend, the Pelicans have beaten Toronto, Brooklyn, Miami and Denver, following a prior win over the Heat in which Davis and Anderson sustained first-half injuries. New Orleans also is without third-leading scorer Jrue Holiday (leg), but that hasn’t stopped it from compiling a season-high five-game winning streak. This time the Pelicans and Nuggets played a hard-fought, closely-contested game, before the visitors came up with more big plays down the stretch. Once again New Orleans received an array of major contributions from players who’ve had to assume bigger roles with three teammates out of the lineup. The Pelicans struggled offensively in the first half, resulting in a 37-all tie, but racked up 62 points in the latter half.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
New Orleans sank a stream of free throws in the final minute, preventing Denver from creating a tight finish. Jimmer Fredette, Norris Cole and Tyreke Evans all converted from the charity stripe to seal the outcome, with Evans’ pair of shots making it 99-90 with less than 30 seconds remaining.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Omer Asik set the tone in the paint for New Orleans from the opening moments, grabbing every rebound within his reach. Asik finished with 16 rebounds – one shy of his season high, his career high is 23 – in 25 minutes of action. He also handed out three assists and was disruptive on defense, even if his stat line of one steal and no blocks didn’t reflect it. Asik also contributed nine points.
PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR
Dante Cunningham played all but 58 seconds of the first half and barely received much of a breather the rest of Sunday, either. Cunningham had his patented 20-foot jumper locked in, providing the Pelicans with some much-needed offense. In crunch time, the veteran forward delivered some of his biggest minutes since joining New Orleans in December, sinking mid-range jumpers and drawing a crucial charge on Randy Foye with two-plus minutes left. Cunningham totaled 14 points and seven rebounds in his 40 minutes.
QUOTES TO NOTE
"I think it's a growth moment for us. We weren't playing well, we didn't have our best stuff and our guys didn't get down." – Monty Williams on the team's mentality to secure win in Denver
"The little things, it's what's going to put us over the top. We are missing a couple players now; little things are definitely coming into play more." – Dante Cunningham on a key to New Orleans' recent close wins
"It takes the pressure off them right now. It allows them to completely heal up and not necessarily rush back and think they have to be there for the team right now. As much as we love and want them back, we are holding it down until they get back." – Dante Cunningham on the impact a 5-0 stretch may have on the mindset of the injured Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday
"Little things add up to big things in a close game. We did the little things in order to win. We helped each other out. Dante had a couple interceptions and took a couple charges. Omer rebounded great and Tyreke made plays like he does. We didn't play our best, but we found a way to win, which is the most important thing." – Norris Cole on pulling away late to prevail at Denver
BY THE NUMBERS
40.2: Denver shooting percentage from the field. The Nuggets needed a pair of we'll-give-you-those layups in the final 20 seconds just to clear the 40 percent mark, a testament to the Pelicans' stingy defense.
7: Pelicans players who scored at least eight points, including five in double figures. Tyreke Evans led New Orleans with 22 points, while reserves Alexis Ajinca and Norris Cole supplied 10 points apiece.
8: Consecutive New Orleans points to open the fourth quarter by Ajinca, who was a difficult defensive assignment for a Denver team missing starting center Jusuf Nurkic. The task often fell on 6-foot-9 J.J. Hickson, a quality player but overmatched size-wise vs. Ajinca, who also has been showing deft post moves, in addition to the obvious advantage of being 7-2.
#TAKEFLIGHT QUESTION OF THE NIGHT
Who's been the Pelicans' best in-season roster addition and why?
From @nairb_d: Great question. Cunningham out of the clearance bin, QPon for Rivers, Cole for Salmons. Can't decide. Dell for Exec of Yr
From @iam_eeyin: they all had instant impacts and made them a better team so I can't decide.
From @LancePerodin: Dante Cunningham. Because he hustles harder than any player in the league.
From @TheCarter: Gotta go with Q Pon. He's brought a win or go home attitude to the team and it's contagious
From @mollyhannahm: Quincy Pondexter because he impacts the team immensely on both ends
From @ChampIAN_33: Cole, team finally has a backup PG who can initiate Offense and defend smallish PGs to relieve pressure off Reke & Gordon.
From @NajyMasri: Norris Cole… because he is undefeated as a Pelican!
From @CamDrey09: Q pon to me. Harassing on defense and his hustle and passion is contagious
From @brett_guidry: pondexter. He can defend multiple positions. Doesn't do more than asked. Solid contributor
From @mcnastychris: tyreke evans the point guard not to be confused with tyreke evans the small forward