Although Anthony Davis had 40 points in each of his first two games against his former New Orleans Pelicans squad, the manner in which he scored the points in each of the two games couldn’t be any more different. After the game, Davis acknowledged what the game and the box score showed, that he was much smoother and much more efficient than the game he took 30 shots in New Orleans.
Davis told ESPN’s Jorge Sedano that it was more like “just another game” during his walk-off interview and he later told reporters more of the same, according to The Athletic’s Brett Dawson.
“I think the first game in New Orleans was definitely a lot more emotional,” Davis said. “Not only going against my former team but playing in that arena again, and then tonight I think my teammates just gave me great opportunities and put me in a great position to score the basketball. I don’t think I did anything special; I didn’t prepare any differently. I just came out and played basketball.”
Compared to the force-feeding of the first game, the pressure seemed to be lifted off of Davis by both Frank Vogel’s gameplan and the fact that this second game didn’t elicit the same emotions of being back in the city that drafted Davis.
It seems like everything is working out for both teams as well. New Orleans is playing better basketball, aside from last night’s loss, with Lonzo Ball playing much better over the last few weeks in addition to a breakout season for Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans are also expected to get Zion Williamson back sooner rather than later.
