The Pelicans Are Really Strong!

Before the game, news broke that Davis would be unable to play due to severe dehydration from diarrhea.

This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for the Pelicans.

Tang Tian and Ariza being unable to play had already put them in a difficult spot. Now, with three starters missing, the Pelicans had already lost more than half the battle on paper before the game even began.

But interestingly, Stevens placed Metta World Peace on the Active Roster for this game. The implication was obvious to everyone.

Amid the worries of Pelicans fans, the game between the two teams officially tipped off at New Orleans Arena.

The fans were worried, but the Pelicans came out with tremendous momentum.

The one who set that tone was Jokic.

He opened the game by knocking down a Three-pointer from the perimeter. After drawing Embiid out, he used his speed advantage to drive to the basket and score.

Embiid had suffered a Season-Ending Injury last season. This was his Rookie Season.

He was being taught a lesson by second-year Jokic.

Jokic dominated the rookie Embiid, and after struggling in the previous game, Bojan had indeed rediscovered his touch just as he said he would.

He hit three Three-pointers in the first quarter alone, his outside shooting touch scorching hot.

By the end of the first quarter, the short-handed Pelicans had not been dominated by the Mavericks. Instead, they led the Mavericks 26-21, ahead by five points.

Pachulia, whose suspension had ended, came off the bench in the second quarter to a chorus of boos.

Interestingly, Stevens also sent Metta World Peace onto the court for the Pelicans as a backup Power Forward.

If the league were to pick the player least likely to want to fight, then aside from James Johnson, who had once