NBA scores 2015: Pelicans could have been good this year and 3 other things we learned

The Pelicans were supposed to be a team on the rise. Coming into this year they had the talent to return to the playoffs after getting a taste of the postseason in 2014-15 and a new coach that could maximize their offensive talent. Alas, their season is now likely over, as terrible injury luck and unforeseeable regression by some key players has resulted in a 10-20 record.

For one night, however, we got to see how good this team can be when everyone important is available and playing well. Their 110-108 victory over the Rockets showed us a glimpse of what could have been.

Eric Gordon entered his contract year often being the only player performing well on an injury-decimated squad to start the season. Big shooting nights have gone to waste plenty of times, but not on Saturday. He was perfect from the floor in the first half, knocking down his seven shots, including four from beyond the arc, and went on to finish with 26 points on 12 field goal attempts. He might not be the dynamic two-way player he was before injuries robbed him of his explosiveness, but he's still a fantastic marksman.

Tyreke Evans needs an off-ball threat like Gordon to thrive and he finally clicked on offense as a facilitator after struggles to adjust to Alvin Gentry's system. He dished out 13 assists and was a net positive despite not shooting well from the floor. Jrue Holiday, the former starting point guard now turned into sixth man to give Evans the ball, made his mark on defense by making life hell for James Harden.

The two big men that are there to flank Anthony Davis -- Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik -- also played up to expectations after disappointing earlier in the season. Asik did the dirty work and played good defense while Anderson pitched in 16 points off the bench, including two three-pointers and a thunderous slam.

Then there's Davis himself. The lack of perimeter playmaking exposed how raw he still is as a shot creator, but he remains a two-way force who can score from inside and out and make a mark on defense. He finished the game with 24 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three blocks, reminding everyone that while Karl-Anthony Towns is a prodigy, he still is the future of the big man position.

Saturday's game against a tired Rockets team on the second night of a back-to-back after an emotional win over the Spurs might not be a signature win in most people's minds, but the Pelicans needed it. It might be too late to turn this season around but there are still 52 games left to be played. If they can finish strong, the Pelicans can convince themselves and the rest of the league that their ascent has not been cancelled. Just postponed.

The Cavaliers will be fine, despite an embarrassing loss

Getting destroyed by a Trail Blazers team missing Damian Lillard is not the best way to get past a close loss to the Warriors, obviously. The Cavaliers' poor performance, however, was clearly an outlier. There's simply no way they are 29 points worse than Portland.

Everything lined up perfectly for the night to go the way it did. Allen Crabbe had a career night, LeBron James wasn't at his normal level and Kyrie Irving missed the game. It's a good win for the Blazers, but it's obviously not indicative of Cleveland's level. They had a down night after losing a big game but they are still the team to beat in the East and a legitimate contender. Saturday night was an aberration.

The Hawks are on the rise

Since then they have won six in a row and now have the second best record in their conference. They disposed of the Knicks with ease on Saturday, thanks to good performances by their three best players. Paul Millsap, Al Horford and Jeff Teague all scored 17 or more points against New York and have been great for Atlanta during the streak. The Hawks might not be a true contender but they are still a good team capable of winning over 50 games.

The Suns are in trouble

The Suns had playoff hopes coming into the season after narrowly missing the postseason the past two years. Following Saturday's loss to the hapless 76ers, it's hard to see them achieving their goals. Not only did they lose to the worst team in the league but they lost Eric Bledsoe to a knee sprain in the process.

Alec Burks had to leave the game the Jazz were playing against the Clippers after a nasty fall and could miss some time. Before he got hurt, however, he made his mark in the game with a vicious dunk.

Nets security prevented super fan Mr. Whammy from heckling Ramon Sessions during a free throw.

Robin Lopez's eye looked all sorts of bad after a collision with Kyle Korver, but he never lost his sense of humor about it.

Wizards 111. Nets 96 (Bullets Forever recap | Nets Daily recap)

Raptors 111, Bucks 90 (Raptors HQ recap | Brew Hoop recap)

Hornets 98, Grizzlies 92 (At the Hive recap | Grizzly Bear Blues recap)

Heat 108, Magic 101 (Hot Hot Hoops recap | Orlando Pinstriped post recap)

Celtics 99, Pistons 93 (Celtics Blog recap | Detroit Bad Boys recap)

Pacers 102, Timberwolves 88 (Indy Cornrows recap | Canis Hoopus recap)

Spurs 101, Nuggets 86 (Pounding the Rock recap | Denver Stiffs recap)