Pelicans: Have No Fear, ‘Playoff Rondo’ is Here (Video)

All season long, Rajon Rondo hung in the shadows while Anthony Davis soaked up the spotlight and headlines. However, after dishing out 17 assists and keeping the team united in the Pelicans Game 1 victory over Portland, even Davis is showering his Kentucky brethren with love.

The Pelicans hung on for a 97-95 win after leading by 19 points in the third quarter. After the game, Anthony Davis — who scored 35 points in his first-ever postseason win — credited “Playoff Rondo” with keeping the team together.

Rondo had several highlights throughout the night and as AD mentioned, told the team to “calm down” whenever Portland made a run. Perhaps the most spectacular play came from yet another Rondo/Davis hook-up, something they’ve perfected over the last few months.

For whatever reason, Rondo always comes alive during the postseason. Last year, as a member of the eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls, he put the team on his back to win the first two games of their series against the top-seeded Boston Celtics. However, he got injured before Game 3 and the Bulls didn’t win another game. Say what you want about Rondo, but he’s been playing his ass off and the team is responding to it.

In total, he finished with 17 assists, eight rebounds, and six points, while also playing pesky defense on the Blazers’ guards.

New Orleans will play Portland in Game 2 on Tuesday, April 17th at 10:30 P.M ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.