” One-way “. This is how to describe the first quarter (26-12), both Pelicans of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram And CJ McCollum rode on Knicks too clumsy at 3-points (0/8) and much too expensive (8 lost balls). Destructive against a team so comfortable playing fast, when it’s not wreaking havoc in the paint.
This gap, new York will not succeed in filling it in the second quarter (55-37), despite the contribution to the scoring of RJ Barrett and the energy at the rebound of Mitchell Robinson. It must be said that the address remains dramatic and the “back-to-back” aspect is felt. For New Orleansand despite less fast play or more ball losses, the Williamson/Ingram/McCollum trio continues to run the shop, while the rookie Jordan Hawkins demonstrates his shooting quality off the bench.
The break first revives the Knicks, back at -7 under the leadership of RJ Barrett, but Zion Williamson watches over the grain and, all powerful, he pushes without forcing his opponents to give some air to his teammates. His exit, however, puts the Pelicans back under the threat of Tom Thibodeau’s men, except that it is then Brandon Ingram who is responsible for repelling the New York attacks (77-68).
In the last act, in the company of Brandon Ingram, it is finally Jonas Valanciunas who does the job to definitively extinguish New York, still in the hard shooting and in the management of the swelling. Enough to offer a second victory in two games to New Orleans, definitely very serious at the start of the year (96-87). The gap is also very flattering for the New York franchise.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– New Orleans mercilessly with New York. There simply was no suspense in this meeting. The fault lies in the start of the game as well negotiated by the Pelicans as poorly managed by the Knicks. Fueled by lost balls and opposing clumsiness, teammates Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram weren’t asking for much to sign an authoritarian success.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Zion Williamson + Brandon Ingram. 50 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in total for the two-headed monster of the Pelicans (23/34 shooting). A real demonstration of strength on their part, without forcing and taking turns brilliantly from start to finish.
⛔ Jalen Brunson + Julius Randle. Unlike their counterparts in the Pelicans, the leaders of the Knicks were in style last night: 24 points and 9 lost balls at two, only… 8/29 on the shoot (including 1/10 at 3-points)! Never entering their match, they perfectly illustrated New York’s difficulties.
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.
