Pelicans Earn Impressive Comeback Win Over Raptors

Down by 18 and missing three of their best players, the New Orleans Pelicans never wavered, coming from behind for an impressive 100-97 victory over the Raptors.

As Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, and Jrue Holiday sat on the bench in street clothes, the Pelicans gave their three injured teammates plenty to cheer for, gaining their first lead of the game on a Luke Babbitt 3 pointer with 1:55 left in the game.

Babbitt (pictured left) scored a season-high 18 points including 10 in the fourth quarter, adding another 8 rebounds to his stat line.

"God is good, man," said a smiling Babbitt after the win. "These guys (teammates) have all worked so hard. It's a great win for us."

Considering what they were up against, great is the right word to describe it.

"I know we say that a lot in coaching, but tonight was for sure a total team effort," explained New Orleans head coach Monty Williams.

It took a team effort for his club to storm back from 18 down, the largest deficit overcome by the team this season.

"He's a sniper," said Norris Cole of Babbitt. "It's our job to find him when he's open."

Center Alexis Ajinca and the newly acquired Cole were clutch off the bench as well, getting hot in the 4th quarter to fuel the New Orleans comeback.

Cole scored 13 points in the final twelve minutes, while Ajinca hit a go-ahead layup in the final minute to help the Pelicans procure the victory.

As a whole, the Pelicans bench scored 55 points, compared to the Raptors reserves who finished with 21.

"The bench played amazing tonight," said forward Quincy Pondexter, who started Monday night. "It was a gutsy team win."

Starting center Omer Asik added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, while guard Tyreke Evans battled an illness to chip in a double-double of his own with 13 points and 12 assists.

With the victory, the Pelicans (29-27) move into 9th place in the Western Conference, a half game ahead of the Phoenix Suns (29-28) who fell to Boston Monday night.

Next up for the Pels, a home game versus the Brooklyn Nets (23-31) on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:00.