It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t pretty and it was damn sure stressful, but mission accomplished.
The New Orleans Pelicans managed to outlast the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday evening as they wound up on the victorious side of a 96-92 margin, guaranteeing the team their sixth winning season in franchise history. Following their third straight victory, New Orleans is back to a season-best 12 games over .500 and for at least another night remains fifth in the Western Conference standings.
Coming into the matchup, one had a sense an arduous battle loomed ahead. The Pacers were entering with the fourth most effective defense since the All-Star break, and the Pelicans, the ninth.