The sequence says a lot about the nature of this meeting. Karl-Anthony Towns first won his duel against Zion Williamson, by opposing him during his climb to the circle. But the inside of the Pelicans managed to recover the leather to impose himself underneath with his left hand.
On the next possession, it was gone countering at very high altitude Anthony Edwards, before Brandon Ingram went to punish in his characteristic style at mid-distance. At the heart of a 10-0 inflicted in the middle of the third quarter, the Pelicans took off with more than 20 points in advance (60-82).
On the floor of the best team in the West, the Pelicans did not go into detail. The final score (106-117), qualified by a better fourth quarter from the Wolves, poorly reflects the level of physical domination on the part of the visitors, who were nevertheless playing “back-to-back” after their equally authoritarian victory. against the Nets.
Not a single shot outside the racket
The NOLA players had started to take control of the match in the second quarter, on the basis of a 25-9 carried by their three major players, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. Without forgetting a Herbert Jones as inspired as the last city behind the arc, who had to bring the “KAT” out of his lair.
While Rudy Gobert, like Jonas Valanciunas opposite, became a non-factor due to foul trouble, Williamson let his combination of mobility and power speak. Without taking the slightest shot on the outskirts, the left-hander chained “drives”, outpacing the opposing interiors.
At the end of the third quarter, he even allowed himself to line up the pass fixations to find Larry Nance under the circle. Despite the efforts of Anthony Edwards, the Wolves logically had to give up their arms.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Rare drought on rebounds. With 44 rebounds per game, the Wolves are only the 17th best student in the league in this sector. Last night, they took so few rebounds this season: only 28 rebounds, including 15 for the members of the major five. Obviously, with a team that shoots at 56% success, the opportunities to recover the leather are more limited…
– Rare defeat at home. Behind the Celtics, the Wolves are the hardest team to beat at home. Since their first defeat of the season conceded at the Target Center against the Kings at the end of November, Chris Finch's men have had seven wins in a row. They now have a record of 14 wins and two losses at home. It should also be noted that the Wolves, beaten at Madison Square Garden two days earlier, suffered their second defeat in a row for the first time.
– The Pelicans, rising value. With their overall record of 21 wins for 14 losses, Zion Williamson's Pelicans remain in 5th place in the West. But this fourth victory in a row testifies to their great form at the moment. With all its stars away from the infirmary, NOLA has won 12 of its last 17 outings. Or precisely the same cruising speed displayed by their opponents in the evening…
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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.
