We expected a show and a good opposition between New Orleans and Memphis, we were served! The duel between two of the most spectacular teams in the league has kept all its promises, despite the absence of Zion Williamson on one side and Desmond Bane on the other.
The Grizzlies have displayed their entry ambitions, with in particular an untenable Ja Morant at the wand, like his 3-pointers from midfield at the buzzer of the first quarter (32-35). To the euphoria of Memphis, which also found Jaren Jackson Jr, New Orleans showed that it had what to answer, between the aggressiveness of Jose Alvarado, the verticality of Larry Nance Jr and the mastery of CJ McCollum.
The locals therefore regained the advantage via a 14-4 concluded by a tomar from Larry Nance Jr in transition (46-39). Brilliant actions followed one another until the break, between Ja Morant’s flashes of genius, the 3-pointers of the Alvarado-Murphy pair, until Jaren Jackson Jr’s high-altitude counter on Naji Marshall just before the break (59-60).
Despite the Grizzlies’ interesting comeback after the break, New Orleans was able to count on CJ McCollum to make the difference. The rear thus scored 13 points in the period, with a sequence where he aligned three missiles from afar as a boxer would have chained the hooks in order to bring down his opponent (77-73).
But Memphis was still standing, as Ja Morant confirmed in stride with a left-handed dunk from elsewhere. The Grizzlies even took the lead on a 3-pointer from Santi Aldama. And 12 minutes from the end, the meeting was still undecided (89-87).
It was then on a 15-4 mainly powered by the Alvarado-McCollum-Jones trio that the locals took the lead from the start of the fourth quarter (104-91). This time, despite all the efforts of Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and company, the Pelicans held on until the end while putting on a show, like on the last dunk from Larry Nance Jr (113-102).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– WE LOVE THIS GAME. But what was this game!? There is undoubtedly enough to make two top 10s by compiling the most spectacular actions of this opposition after such an avalanche, between dunks, counters, alley-oops and other flights while in control. The most incredible thing about all this is that Zion Williamson, a regular contributor in terms of spectacular actions, was on the bench! It only lacked a little more suspense at the end, but we want to see this level of intensity and spectacle!
– The return of the “Ja Circus”. The NBA holds in its hands a true phenomenon in the person of Ja Morant. The point guard quickly signed his return with two interceptions, two quick baskets and an alley-oop for Santi Aldama. His match was then a succession of actions of madness. Note his 3-point midfielder at the buzzer, his left hand dunk despite a foul (not whistled) on his right arm, and his “trash talking” sessions against the Pelicans bench or Jose Alvarado after scoring, even if the latter has not lowered his eyes, quite the contrary! What a pleasure to see him back at work.
– One more confirmation for New Orleans. This season of the Pelicans is a bit of confirmation for this second year under the orders of Willie Green. The last-minute absence of Zion Williamson on the one hand, and the return of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr on the other, was another major test for New Orleans, who rose to it brilliantly, thanks in particular to the contribution of the Alvarado-Murphy-Jones-Nance quartet, “game-changers” in power. Enough to fill up with confidence for the future.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ CJ McCollum. End of series for the rear of the Pelicans, who remained on four rather catastrophic shooting outings. He therefore redeemed himself this night by embodying the main offensive weapon of his team. He was particularly decisive in the third quarter with his heat stroke which helped to calm the opposing ardor.
✅ Larry Nance Jr.. We were treated to a twin fight between him and Brandon Clarke, two interiors who excel off the bench with their intensity, commitment and efficiency near the circle. The duel was up to the talent of the two protagonists. It was the son Nance who won, with a final dunk as the last punch to put Memphis KO for good.
✅jose alvarado. The Pelicans leech has released another masterclass, no doubt boosted by his duel with Ja Morant. As the latter took pleasure in challenging more experienced leaders than him during his rookie season, Jose Alvarado did everything to gain the upper hand, notably with strong defensive streaks but also an interesting contribution in attack. A great duel that we want to see again. That’s good Grizzlies and Pelicans meet again in ten days!
⛔️ Dillon Brooks. Difficult to come across Jaren Jackson Jr, who was playing his first game and struggled to find rhythm as evidenced by his 0/7 shooting. The impact of the Adams-Aldama pair was also minimal in a game played at 200 an hour. It is therefore Dillon Brooks who pays the pots for his “small” match, 19 points for 6/18 shooting.
THE FOLLOWING
Pelicans (8-6): New Orleans continues with a back-to-back outside, on the Chicago floor, from this evening (02:00).
Grizzlies (9-6): Back home for Memphis, which will host OKC this Friday (02:00).
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