Introduction
The New Orleans Pelicans were not expected to win Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, but they did just that. Anthony Davis dominated and put up a stat line that many NBA players would be jealous of: 35 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks.
The Pelicans now lead the series 1-0 thanks to this dominant performance by their superstar big man.
The Pelicans now lead the series 1-0 thanks to this dominant performance by their superstar big man.
30 Points
Davis' 30 points in the game were impressive, but it was his efficiency from the field that really stood out. He shot 11-of-13 (85%) and made all nine of his free throws. That's right: he didn't miss a single shot from inside or outside of the arc!
This kind of performance has become common for Davis over his career--he's been one of the most dominant players in basketball since entering college. But this year has been different than any other; he's averaging 31 points per game and shooting nearly 70% from two-point range (a career high). If he keeps up this level of play throughout March Madness, then New Orleans may end up hosting its first championship parade since 2010 after all!
23 Rebounds
Anthony Davis had a dominant Game 1, but his 23 rebounds were what stood out.
Davis was able to control the boards on both ends of the floor and get out in transition for easy buckets. The Pelicans were able to grab more than 50% of their misses in this game while also limiting the Rockets to just 12 offensive rebounds on their own misses.
Davis' ability to control the boards will be key if New Orleans wants to win this series; they're going up against one of the best rebounding teams in basketball history!
5 Assists
5 assists
Ability to find open teammates
Impact on team chemistry
4 Blocks
Davis had 4 blocks, which is impressive in its own right.
But what's more impressive is how he altered shots as well. He got his hand on several attempts by the Warriors that would have otherwise gone in for points.
Lakers Claim Series Lead
The Lakers have a 1-0 series lead over the Pelicans, and Anthony Davis is a big reason why.
Davis had a dominant performance in Game 1, scoring 36 points on 16-of-25 shooting from the field while adding 13 rebounds and two blocks. He was also an efficient 7-for-8 from three-point range as he led his team to victory over the Pelicans.
The impact of this win cannot be understated: It's important for any playoff team to get off on the right foot when they're trying to advance deeper into postseason play--and especially so when you're facing off against one of your biggest rivals! The Lakers now have home court advantage in this series after winning Game 1 at Staples Center by a score of 121-112; if they can keep this momentum going throughout Games 2 through 4 (and beyond), then we could see them make some serious noise come playoff time!
Conclusion
In summary, Anthony Davis was dominant in Game 1. He scored 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds. He also had three blocks and two steals, showing off his versatility as a defender.
The Pelicans need Davis to continue playing at this level if they want to make it out of the first round against Portland. If he can continue his high level of play throughout the series, New Orleans should win comfortably over Portland's weak defense