Anthony Davis compiled a historic individual start to the 2016-17 regular season, but no man can play 48 minutes a night. So whenever the perennial All-Star subbed out of games in October and November, anxiety quickly followed for New Orleans Pelicans fans. Perhaps the best illustration of that came Nov. 12, when New Orleans disintegrated during the second half of a 27-point home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. After Davis exited due to a back injury, the Lakers immediately launched a 14-0 run and were never threatened from there.
Contrast that with Monday night in the Smoothie King Center, when the Davis-less Pelicans managed to win 124-122 against a Cleveland team at full strength.