As often, the traditional Sunday evening match (in France) will not be remembered. Nevertheless, from an accounting point of view, the Pelicans will keep a nice memory of it, they who displayed an attractive face to win among the Clippers (112-91).
Still deprived of Brandon Ingram, the New Orleans franchise has however recorded the return of Zion Williamson (21 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) who, with CJ McCollum (22 points), showed the way to Willie Green’s men. Especially in the second half, the moment chosen by the Pels to widen the gap and no longer look in their rear view mirror afterwards.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The convincing return of Zion Williamson. After missing the last two meetings of his team, the Pelicans buffalo finally returned to the field, a week after his last outing. And this one did not fail to take care of his recovery, because he was in all the good moves today. Involved in scoring, rebounding and passing, the All-Star interior thus came close to the first triple-double of his career, dominating without forcing the powerless Clippers racket.
— The second period canon of New Orleans. Tied with the Clippers at the break (52-52), the Pelicans returned from the locker room in sparkling form. Led by their duo CJ McCollum – Zion Williamson, they quickly blew up the Californian defense, with 3-point baskets and successes in the paint. Taking advantage, as a bonus, of the failure to shoot Paul George, Reggie Jackson and others to inflict a +21 on the men of Tyronn Lue, unrecognizable.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The New Orleans Collective. Zion Williamson obviously, but also CJ McCollum, Naji Marhsall (17 points, 6 rebounds), Larry Nance Jr. (15 points, 9 rebounds), Trey Murphy III (15 points, 5 rebounds), Jonas Valanciunas (11 points, 7 rebounds , 5 assists) or Devonte ‘Graham (9 points, 7 assists). It is an understatement to say that Willie Green was able to count on a good depth of bench to leave the Crypto.com Arena with a smile. Inspired at 3-pts, imperial in paint and inexpensive from the second quarter, the Pelicans thus seduced collectively.
✅ Norman Powell. Off the bench, “Norm” (18 points) was the Clippers’ only ray of sunshine today. A rare skillful Californian player (7/14 on shots, including 3/7 at 3-pts), he floated for a long time for Los Angeles. Of his match, we will especially remember his heat stroke of the first period, when he scored 9 points in a few minutes, to install his team in the lead. For a while, only…
⛔ Paul George. If Reggie Jackson was not a great night either (9 points and 4 bullet losses, 4/12 on shots including 1/7 at 3-pts), impossible to miss the terrible performance of “PG13”: 14 points and 4 bullet losses, only 5/19 on shots, including 2/8 at 3-pts… Never in the rhythm, he forced his team a lot and weighed down on attack. A performance finally in line with those of his start to the season because, in addition to his exit to 40 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists against the Kings, the All-Star winger has constantly finished under 20 points and 40% success in shoot…
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (2-4) : back to back against Houston, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (03:30).
New Orleans (4-2) : trip to Los Angeles, to the Lakers, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (03:30).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDT4OWa6pNo
