The Pelicans make short work of the Pacers

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson were able to enjoy the show off the bench. The former is still injured, while the latter has recovered from Covid isolation and is finally not wearing shorts for this match. The absence of the team’s two leading scorers did not prevent NOLA from putting together a fine collective performance against the Pacers, who were a threat throughout (113-93).

The visitors, authors of the best start, only had a quarter (24-18). They lost their footing in the second quarter when their offense struggled to punish and their defense struggled even more to contain the passing game. Halftime score: The Pelicans led by nearly 20 points (57-38).

Next? Not much to say except that the locals continued to open up their basketball to take a 28-point lead after the next twelve minutes (90-62). Players who lacked playing time on both sides were able to take advantage of the long “garbage time” to show themselves. Indiana was able to narrow the gap a little.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– A few minutes were enough. We could almost conclude this match with a big “run”. The Pelicans’ early in the second quarter. The natives shined in two aspects that automatically bring good things: serious collective defense and an infectious desire to share skin. Indiana was left unsettled by regular assists ahead, like Kira Lewis Jr., who came to challenge Myles Turner in the circle and figured he’d finish easily. On the other side of the field, Devonte’ Graham did a lot with the tight ends of Willy Hernangomez and Naji Marshall. So the score went from 27-23 to 43-23, 16-0. This 20 point difference will not be questioned later.

– Willie Green salutes his defense. This is the 5th time this season that the Pelicans have held an opponent under 100 points, while the Pacers have missed that mark for only the 3rd time. ” As soon as I got here I talked about working on building a defense base so it’s durable. Our attack can come and go. We didn’t hit well tonight (note: 46% same), but we defended and made “stops”. So far we have done a good job in this area “, so Willie can greet Greene.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Naji Marshall. A great evening for the winger, who now shines when he moves with the catcher. That night, he took advantage of the absences of Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III to score a career-high 22 points. A symbol of his success, a 3-pointer that he sent from one leg at the sound of the third quarter.

✅ Pelican rocket. Jonas Valanciunas, awkward with 3 points, still finished with a team-best mark and a new double-double. We’ll especially remember his behind-the-back, baseline dribble to eliminate Myles Turner in the third quarter. A symbol of NOLA’s interior dominance, finishing with 18 more rebounds than the Pacers. Along with JV, Jaxson Hayes came close again with a double-double, Larry Nance Jr. and Willie Hernangomez had a very positive impact on the score.

⛔ Pacers mindset. It’s hard to blame one player more than another, so you can stop at the big picture. The Pacers certainly came at the end of a little three-game “road trip,” but like the Pelicans, they didn’t play for three days. Rick Carlisle may have converted all five, but his players failed to respond in the heart of a deadly run in the second quarter. The craziest thing is that they never really scared New Orleans, where the lead fell below 20 in the second half, only twice to -19.

NEXT

Pelicans (21-12) : Reception of worms, Wednesday.

Pacers (17-17) : Falcon reception, next night.