Despite Anthony Davis only putting up 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 16 minutes, the New Orleans Pelicans stunned the visiting red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder 122-131.
In fact, the Thunder's two All-Stars in Russell Westbrook (44 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, 18-of-30 shooting) and Paul George (28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) put up spectacular numbers but still, they came up short.
In Davis' absence for a majority of the game, Jrue Holiday stepped up to the stage and led the team to a win.
.@Jrue_Holiday11's 32 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB, 3 BLK help the @PelicansNBA protect home court in the win over OKC! #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/KwbIYWpnNT
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2019
Offseason acquisition Julius Randle also provided some much-needed support to Holiday, putting up an all-round stat line:
💪 @J30_RANDLE does it all in the @PelicansNBA home victory, tallying 33 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST! #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/fdyaB2NsvI
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2019
As a team, the Pelicans shot 50-of-92 (54.3%) and registered 35 assists on their field goals. The Pelicans also had double-digit contributions from the reserves in Jahlil Okafor (12 points, 5-of-6 FG's) and E'Twaun Moore (15 points, 7-of-8 FG's).
Although they lost, it was a huge night for former MVP Russell Westbrook. Not only did he record his season-high tally for points with 44 but he also extended his streak for most consecutive triple-doubles in NBA history to 11.
#RussellWestbrook (44 PTS, 14 REB, 11 AST) scores a season-high en route to recording his ELEVENTH STRAIGHT triple-double for the @okcthunder! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/l6ZLxexaOz
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2019
The biggest difference between the two teams was their shooting from distance. While New Orleans made 12 threes on 46.2% shooting, the Thunder made 10 from beyond the arc but at only 22.7% shooting.
This loss was only OKC's second in 13 games.
Let alone for these teams, this was the final game of the NBA schedule before the All-Star break.
After the All-Star weekend, the Thunder restart their schedule on Saturday at home against the Utah Jazz while the Pelicans begin with a back-to-back starting in Indiana.
