Sweep City: Pelicans put exclamation point on statement series

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the NBA's Elite Eight.

Thanks to their emphatic sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday (April 21) they are now rubbing elbows with the NBA's blue bloods.

The Pelicans advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for just the second time in franchise history. And they did so in spectacular fashion, with Anthony Davis (47) and Jrue Holiday (41) combining for 88 points in a 131-123 victory before a sellout crowd at Smoothie King Center.

It was the first time in Pelicans franchise history that two players scored 40 or more points in the same game.

It was the most total points ever scored by the Pelicans in the postseason.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is how…