New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener
By Ryan Piers
3. No one else but Davis and Cousins
Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were as good as advertised on Wednesday night. Davis scored 33 points in the opener, gobbling 18 boards and looking like the player who averaged 31 points per game last November. Boogie balled too, with 28 points, 10 rebounds and a stunning seven blocks. He also had a nice plus/minus of +6.
But the other eight Pelicans who played only scored 31 points, shooting a combined 12-for-35. Finally healthy, Jrue Holiday contributed just four points in nearly 39 minutes. The ageless Tony Allen looked rundown in his return to Memphis, struggling to keep with his assignments.
The Pelicans’ biggest question still remains unanswered after Wednesday. The team is unsure where offense will come from if not its two superstars. With two of the top 15 players in the league, New Orleans should be a playoff contender. But the West is deep, and the Davis/Boogie combo alone won’t be enough to crack the postseason.
E’Twaun Moore looked insecure last night, passing up on open threes after averaging a career high in triples last season. And the second unit was essentially useless, with Ian Clark being the only reserve who played more than 20 minutes. The Pelicans’ two stars will be great. But New Orleans needs a lot more help to win games.