Despite the nightmare season of the Pelicans, the King Center smoothie still finds ways to vibrate. This was the case this night thanks to the flights to the Circle of Zion Williamson and his second triple-double in career (22 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds), a few days after the first, to shoot the clippers (127-120).
Without signing a huge evening at the “scoring”, the leader of the Pelicans was omnipresent in the game of his team. In the last period, responsible for raising the leather most often, he took care of everything with his 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
The choice of Brian Shaw, again chief coach on the Clippers side in the absence of Tyronn Lue (back), to put Kris Dunn on his back by sequence, to allow Ivica Zubac to stay in help on the penetrations of the left -hander, was not really paying. Zion Williamson continued to make his power speak, sometimes breaking the grips for two, and his intelligence of play by distributing when it was necessary.
The Clippers cling
Under its influence, the Pelicans took hold in the first minutes of the last quarter (110-93). Earlier in the evening, as we approach the end of the first period, the locals had already distanced themselves, counting up to 21 points ahead. But Kawhi Leonard (29 points), supported by a James Harden still impressive in distribution (25 points and 17 assists) and an Ivica Zubac (19 points and 11 rebounds) still strong below, had brought back his training.
In this last period, visitors gave up by tightening the ranks in defense. Like this successful two socket on Zion Williamson, who will lose the ball before catching up by going to Kris Dunn in “Chasedown”. The Clippers also grabbed their delay thanks to free throws and their activity near the circle, like James Harden.
A minute of the term, Kawhi Leonard signed a 2+1 (missing the throw) in the background to reduce the gap to a possession (119-116). The Pelicans will however have no difficulty managing the last moments to win.
What to remember
– Zion's vision. In addition to signing your best average for the rebounds (7.3) in career this season, the traveling trampoline does the same to the pass, while its overall playing time is down. After this match, he displays 5.3 caviars per game this season. On this meeting, we remember above all the variety of situations in which the interior manages to create ball in hand: by overthrowing the game after having fixed to the post, by penetrating to attract help and release the second interior, by relying on a transition … The left -hander seems to flourish in this role of “Porte Forward” which develops year after year.
– The delay in the clippers ignition. With 21 points in the first quarter, visitors took time to settle offensively in this part. The fault of a terrible 3-point clumsiness: 13 missed on their first 14 attempts! The percentage went back later, but the final 14/42 (33.3%) is very average, like the 4/12 of James Harden in the matter, or 2/8 of Nicolas Batum. Their opponents were less greedy, but much more realistic (17/31).
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
