New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Blazers

1. Backcourt offense exceeding expectations

The legend of Playoff Rondo continues to grow, as the 12-year veteran posted another sparkling stat line, nearly finishing with a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, including a 3-pointer to put the Pelicans up eight with just under a minute to play. It’s amazing what this dude can do when he actually tries.

Despite Rondo’s superb play, the night belonged to his backcourt mate, Jrue Holiday, who continues to grab the national media’s attention, making us all reshuffle our rankings of the top point guards in the NBA.

Holiday finished with 33 points and nine assists, hitting big shot after big shot in the fourth quarter to keep the Blazers at bay.

Even with DeMarcus Cousins in the lineup, there was still some concern about the teammates of Anthony Davis, and their ability to produce when called upon. Through two games of this series, his point guards have answered the bell.

Rondo may not be able to get a bucket like Lillard or McCollum, but he can do virtually everything else on the basketball court. He even supplied the final dagger with an unexpected corner 3 in Game 2.

Holiday has done a fantastic job on the defensive end over the course of these two games, but it’s his offensive game that has given New Orleans a big boost.

Sliding Jrue over to the 2-guard spot was a brilliant move by head coach Alvin Gentry, as it allows the nine-year veteran to focus more on scoring instead of facilitating, something the pass-happy Rondo is better suited for anyway.

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If this dynamic duo can continue to produce at a high level, then forget the Blazers, this team can give the Golden State Warriors some fits.