MLK Day in Memphis: The New Orleans Pelicans Last Game Before Zion

We’re looking back at some of the most important games of the season. On tap today, the MLK Day matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Grizzlies.

The New Orleans Pelicans were involved in  arguably Memphis’ most important home game of every season, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Memphis has hosted a game on this every year since 2003. Before the game the National Civil Rights Museum announced the four winners of their Sports Legacy Award; Sheryl Swoopes, Caron Butler, Robert Parish and Doug Williams.

The broadcast also showed video of the Pelicans team taking a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum from the day before this game. I’ve never been but I have to imagine its a very powerful moment for the players.

Memphis had won seven straight games coming into this and held a three and a half game lead over New Orleans for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. This was the first meeting between these teams this season and it lived up to the hype.

The Pelicans were without Derrick Favors as he injured his back, which meant New Orleans was going to rely on Jaxson Hayes and Nicolo Melli to play center in this game. Melli played more minutes but both were effective in making the Grizzlies uncomfortable near the rim; the pair had as many blocks, three, as the entire Grizzlies team.

Memphis took advantage of their size early in this game, scoring 14 of the teams first 22 points in the paint and finishing the first quarter with 10 baskets down low. However in the second quarter New Orleans drained nine threes to stretch the lead to 19 points at the half.

The second half for the New Orleans Pelicans was more about running their sets and maintaining the lead. While the Grizzlies made a great run late in the fourth quarter to bring it within five, the Pels were able to hold on and come out with a win.

What was at stake in this game?

While New Orleans had won 10 of their last 15 coming into this game, the team needed a win here to keep pace with the Grizzlies who had won seven straight. Winning 66% of a team’s games is impressive at any point but it’s even more special when you remember the Pelicans had lost 13 straight from November 23rd to December 17th.

The three teams between New Orleans and Memphis all had 18 wins (San Antonio, Portland, Phoenix) at that point while the Pelicans had 16. A win here would bring them even closer to this pack of teams that may have to fight for the final playoff spot once the league restarts.

Who had the best game? Worst game?

There are two players who had outstanding games in this one and picking between them is like splitting hairs. Let’s look at both of them more closely to appreciate what they did.

Jrue Holiday led all players with 36 points, but true to himself, he played a complete game, with six rebounds, one assist, two steals and a block. Holiday made 7 of 10 three-pointers here, which was two fewer than the Grizzlies as a team. Jrue actually made more three-pointers than two-pointers in this game.

Dillon Brooks had himself quite the game as well with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Without Brooks turning in this effort the Grizzlies would have been cooked by the scorching shooting of the Pelicans. With Ja Morant having a poor shooting game, Brooks carried the load and kept it close.

The player with the worst game was Solomon Hill. His three point, one rebound, one assist stat line while going 1-7 from the field put the Grizzlies in a big hole. Hill had the worst plus/minus in the game with a -12, which was nearly as bad as Josh Hart’s +13 was good; while I know single game plus/minus can be misleading, this was a game where the stat backed up the eyes.