With no Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Quincy Pondexter, Norris Cole and Kendrick Perkins, the Pelicans faced a tall order in the Air Canada Centre. Yet, they managed to start quickly led by an aggressive Jrue Holiday, and then his backcourt mate, Eric Gordon, took over. He poured in 20 points in the first half, but unfortunately no one else could get it going.
For most of the first 24 minutes, the Pelicans maintained the lead, and at one point, they led by as many as 9 points.