Curry Torches Pelicans In Season Opener

It was a tale of two stars for the Pelicans season opener against Golden State. Steph Curry set the court on fire, and Anthony Davis had an awful outing.

With the Pelicans lacking a lot of beef due to injury, the defending NBA Champion Warriors took them to task, 111-95. Steph Curry collected 24 points in the first quarter, hit the 40 mark before the end of the third and coasted the rest of the game with his team up big. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis played possibly his worst game in a Pelicans uniform (4-20 FG).

Without Omer Asik to help him in the post, Davis and the Pels were outrebounded on the glass (56-33) and outperformed. The tempo and changes under Alvin Gentry looked solid after the first half, but the Warriors were simply too much down the stretch.

It didn't help that Curry was unstoppable.

The reigning MVP defended his title with frightening efficiency (40 pts, 14-26 FG, 5-12 3 pt, 7-7 FT; 7 ast, 6 rebs, 2 stl), carving the New Orleans defense with ease and involving his teammates. With Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole both out, it was too much for the newly acquired Ish Smith to handle against such a talented player.

Smith was a bright spot in his debut as a Pelican, registering a 17 point-10 assist double-double. There were simply not enough bodies for New Orleans to hang around the entire game. With Alexis Ajinca banged up, they really only had 7 1/2 contributors.

The Pelicans won't play the defending NBA Champions every game, and they're going to get more healthy. Have patience, Pels fans. There's till plenty of time to flock up.