Respected hierarchy between one of the strongest teams in the West and the worst team in the league. Despite the absence of Brandon Ingram (knee), the Pelicans (44v-27d) had no difficulty in defeating (101-114) the Pistons (12v-59d), who were playing at home without many important players ( Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Simone Fontecchio). This is a 6th defeat in a row for them.
Two main explanations for this Pels victory: Zion Williamson (36 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists) first, and their defense. The first had to wait a few minutes before being fed consistently by his teammates. Once they realized that it was a good idea, the interior of NOLA proved untenable as it knows how to do.
Faced with a decimated opposing racket, the ogre enjoyed himself, giving the impression of being able to score or get a whistle with each attack on the basket. Left hand or right hand for that matter. Poor Chimezie Metu and his teammates didn't weigh much in the balance. At the break, Zion Williamson was already at 17 points, without having missed a single shot (7/7).
In his wake, and with the good return of Naji Marshall, the Pelicans returned to the locker room calmly (41-57), having been up to 21 points ahead. Their defense showed crazy intensity from the first moments, with strong rotations and numerous balls deflected by Herb Jones and the others. And as their play in transition paid off, and the locals initially had such difficulty punishing from a distance, the gap logically widened.
Malachi Flynn, and a few other men from the Pistons bench, will try to wake up his team in the second half. The Pelicans will never really be worried despite the reduction in the score. CJ McCollum notably took charge of extinguishing the last opposing hopes with his distant address.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Pelicans raised their voice on defense. In recent weeks, NOLA players have regularly kept their opponents below 100 points. This explains their good form at the moment. Before this meeting, the Pelicans had the 2nd best defense in the country since the All-Star Game, behind the Magic, with an average of 107 points per 100 possessions. since the All-Star Game. With numerous passes in the zone last night, the visitors harassed and stifled the Pistons.
– Dark evening for Evan Fournier. His “airball” sent from his first shot was a harbinger of a complicated evening… It was. The Frenchman, despite good positions, was not able to convert a single shot. Since his best outing of the season a week ago against the Heat with 18 points, the former Knicks player has had a string of poor performances. It was his third zero point since his arrival in Michigan (0/5 including 0/4 from afar).
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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.
