For their first match since the humiliation of the semi-final of the “In Season Tournament”, lost in a big way against the Lakers, the Pelicans hosted the Wolves, deprived of Anthony Edwards (hip), but who remained on six victories of rank. Zion Williamson quite simply had his best game of the season with 36 points and New Orleans immediately avoided a crisis (121-107).
The two teams are in a tight spot in the first quarter, while Rudy Gobert quickly has to join the bench with two quick fouls. But Williamson already imposes himself in power near the circle with the basket plus the foul, and a little later, an authoritarian offensive rebound followed by a two-handed dunk. Opposite, Karl-Anthony Towns holds his own with 10 points and 7 rebounds in the first quarter.
Big duel in the snowshoes
Back to back (29-29) after the first quarter, the two teams continue to insist inside, some with Naz Reid and KAT, others with Valanciunas and Zion. But the Pels still managed to gain the upper hand at the end of the half, with Brandon Ingram hitting from far away the first time, then a second on the buzzer, and this time from very far away, with the board ( 59-52).
We take the same ones and we start again after returning from the locker room: Zion gets rid of Gobert and KAT to go and score the acrobatic basket, plus the foul, under the circle. Behind, it's Gobert who finishes with the dunk after a KAT caviar. But the Wolves are starting to fail, relegated to -10. And Zion who insists with a special slalom between Minny's twin towers until the layup.
After a final exchange of 3-points between Naji Marshall and Jordan McLaughlin (from the middle of the field!), it is NOLA which leads the dance at the start of the last quarter (90-86) thanks to 14 points from Williamson on the period, and 29 in three quarters.
Herb Jones leaves for a risky “coast-to-coast” but arrives at his destination, faced with a hazardous defensive withdrawal from the Wolves and McCollum hits a 3-pointer in the corner to restore more than 10 points to the Pels who will not be more joined. If Mike Conley scored 9 points to limit the damage after four minutes without a single basket for Minny, Williamson, Ingram and McCollum took care of completing the affair for a flawless victory (121-107).
TO REMEMBER
– Zion's Pride. Obviously affected by the critics who did not spare him after his poor performance in the semi-final against the Lakers, Zion Williamson decided last night to show what he is made of. Facing one of the best rackets in the League this season, the Pelicans interior simply placed 36 points at an excellent 13/17 on shots for a no less excellent 10/12 on shots. We found it as we liked it, dynamic and explosive. Even the Towns-Gobert pair couldn't do anything!
– Gobert erased. Small game from Rudy Gobert (8 points, 8 rebounds), quickly limited by mistakes. The French interior has a hard time facing strong wingers like Zion Williamson, capable of starting from 4-5 meters, and pushing it all the way to the circle. Jonas Valanciunas (14 points, 13 rebounds) also had a lot of influence, notably by stepping aside to leave room for his teammate.
– A “minor five” for Minny. 54 to 53. For only a small point, Minnesota's starting five managed to do better than their second knives. But whether it is Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7 points at 2/7), Troy Brown Jr (5 points at 2/9) or Gobert (8 points, 8 rebounds), the holders clearly missed their game to hold on against the trident from NOLA. Conversely, the Wolves bench was very good, but in vain, with Reid, McDaniels and Milton in particular at 12 points or more.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
