METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Pelicans held the first practice of their new, more challenging reality Saturday – less than 24 hours after losing All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season because of his Achilles tear.
The question now is: What happens to a team that has won 7 of 8 and was coalescing around its somewhat unconventional lineup featuring Cousins and his fellow All-Star big man, Anthony Davis?
“It changes for everyone but that doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish what we set out to do,” Coach Alvin Gentry said after practice. “And that’s to be a playoff team.”
Saturday’s games
THUNDER 121, PISTONS 108: Carmelo Anthony surpassed the 25,000-point milestone, and Russell Westbrook added 31 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to lift surging Oklahoma City to a victory in Detroit.
PACERS 114, MAGIC 112: Victor Oladipo scored 24 points, Lance Stephenson added a season-high 21 and Indiana overcome a late 10-point deficit to win at home.
WIZARDS 129, HAWKS 104: Markieff Morris matched his season high with 23 points, and Washington used balanced scoring and strong 3-point shooting to overcome the absence of John Wall to win in Atlanta.
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