NBA Score: New Orleans Pelicans Shock Atlanta Hawks With Huge Win

When the New Orleans Pelicans started the season by losing eight games in a row, people wrote them off. The media started speculating on various trade rumors involving Anthony Davis. Things have turned around a bit for the Pelicans as they defeated an NBA Finals candidate on Tuesday night. New Orleans defeated the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 112-94, as reported by ESPN.

.@timfraz23 leads the @PelicansNBA to a WIN over the Hawks with career numbers! FINAL: 112-94 #WinTheNight #NOvsATL pic.twitter.com/8LzcE6g5lZ

— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) November 23, 2016

After the first quarter ended, the New Orleans Pelicans had a 20-point lead on the Atlanta Hawks, a strong favorite in the Eastern Conference despite the losses of Jeff Teague and Al Horford over the summer. By halftime, the lead was at 22 points. Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer knew that he needed something to change in the locker room so that the second half would not be a waste. Unfortunately, his message did not get through to his players.

Anthony Davis has a chance to be the best player in the NBA. His health has prevented him from cementing that spot. During the second and third quarter, the 6-foot-11 power forward was sidelined with a bruised knee. While he did manage to make it back for the fourth quarter, the New Orleans Pelicans have to be concerned about the long-term durability of their franchise player.

The return of Jrue Holiday has provided a boost for the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has gone on a bit of a winning streak since their dynamic guard returned to the team. Holiday had been given time away from the franchise so that he can tend to his ailing wife, who was diagnosed with a tumor.

Tim Frazier, who started at point guard against the Atlanta Hawks, must be using the return of Jrue Holiday as motivation. He had one of the best games of his career in the NBA. Frazier put up 21 points, 14 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. He also connected on three of the four shots that he took from beyond the three-point line. Games like that are going to make it hard for New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry to remove him from the starting lineup.

E’Twaun Moore provided an outside presence for the New Orleans Pelicans from the starting shooting guard position. He took five shots from beyond the arc and nailed three of them. Moore made it easier for his teammates to attack inside the paint.

The New Orleans Pelicans received some help from their bench. Jrue Holiday, Solomon Hill, and Terrance Jones combined for 43 points. Receiving that type of contributions enabled the team to withstand the temporary absence of Anthony Davis.

Buddy Hield has seen his minutes drop quite a bit over the past three games. The high-profile rookie guard from Oklahoma is now playing less than 10 minutes a game. Hield is going to need to prove to Alvin Gentry that he can be a regular part of the rotation. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time in the regular season.

The Atlanta Hawks had six players scoring in double digits. From the starting lineup, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap combined for 38 points. Off the bench, Malcolm Delaney, Tim Hardaway Jr., and rookie first round pick Taurean Prince combined for 30.

It simply was not enough for the Atlanta Hawks, who have been in a bit of a slump as of late, to overcome the quick start by the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the recent losses, the Hawks are still first place in the Southeast Division, holding off the Charlotte Hornets by a victory.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to move up in the Southwest Division, but it is really hard to do that because the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs are all on winning streaks as well.

[Featured Image by Kevin C Cox/Getty Images]