The scrappy New Orleans Pelicans squad refuses to give up on its playoff aspirations, despite having an average of 54 points a game sidelined with injury.
The rest of the team is stepping up in the absence of Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson. Quincy Pondexter poured in a career high 25 points versus the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday.
"I'm so glad my shots were falling," Pondexter smiled postgame. "I've been tough on myself because I played terribly in the past 2 games. I got in the gym early yesterday and stayed late, working on my shot. I didn't want to be the reason we lost."
In the Pelicans past 2 matchups versus the Raptors and Heat, Pondexter recorded a total of six points.
"He took the last two games personally," coach Monty Williams said. "I'm impressed with how he committed to working on his shot â he knew he could play better."
Pondexter is now in fact a huge reason why the Pelicans triumphed over the Brooklyn Nets 102-96. This victory comes on the heels of New Orleans' biggest come-from-behind victory Monday over the Toronto Raptors and a win on the road versus the Miami Heat.
"They've had to do it before," Holiday said, when asked how the team was coping with potentially crippling injuries. "Last season, they stepped up too, so this isn't new. They're a talented group of fighters who work hard, and no one should count us out."
It's not just those now in the starting lineup who refuse to quit. New Orleans' bench has been clutch in the team's current 3-game win streak.
Luke Babbitt continued his scoring spree, especially in high pressure situations. Babbitt is now shooting 72 percent from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, which ranks first in the NBA.
New addition Norris Cole is just three games in to his Pelicans tenure and has scored in double digits all three games.
"We knew he could play tough defense," Williams said. "But his offense has been a wonderful surprise. His energy really lifts us up."
While some may think Cole is experiencing an offensive resurgence in New Orleans, the former member of the Miami Heat simply sees it as the opportunity to finally show his diverse talents.
"I work on my O-game a lot," Cole said. "You know, I'm a team player, and I do what the team and the system ask me to do. But I can put the ball in the hole. I came out of college averaging 20 points a game."
New Orleans is certainly welcoming any offensive contribution Cole can muster, as the team now sits precariously as the ninth seed in the Western Conference, one slot away from a playoff berth.
Most critics wrote the Pelicans off when it came to playoff aspirations after the news broke about the absences of Anderson, Holiday and Davis. The New Orleans locker room heard the chatter, but sees a very different story unfolding.
"That's what they get paid to say," Pondexter said. "They get paid to stir up controversy. We believe in ourselves. We are missing some great players, but at the same time, we believe in ourselves in that locker room. We are going to give 110 percent effort every night. Adding Norris Cole, and some other guys really stepping up like Luke, it helps our team."
