New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades in 106-104 Loss to the Utah Jazz
New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades for the shooting guards.
Shooting Guards
B. . Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. E'TWAUN MOORE
Uncle E provided a spark off the bench in the first half, hit a runner and knocked down a three-pointer. I thought he played too much in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Pels were struggling offensively and could have used J.J. Redick’s shooting.
B+. . Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. J.J. REDICK
Redick was huge off the bench on both ends. The Pelicans were struggling in the first half before Redick entered the game. He immediately took it to the hoop for a nice pump fake and finish, grabbed a steal and took a charge. He led the Pelicans’ first half comeback and was the most important player off the bench. The only reason he has a B+ is because Redick also had three turnovers, which were a problem for the Pelicans all night. Two of Redick’s were particularly bad, as he threw passes directly to Jazz players like they were on his own team.
. Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. C+
Holiday did a lot of things well in this game. He locked up Donovan Mitchell at times and made his night difficult, limiting him to six of 14 shooting. Holiday’s offense carried the Pelicans through some stretches and he got to the rim whenever he wanted. The problem is that Holiday didn’t know what to do once he got there. He coughed the ball up six times against the Jazz, many of them on passes from the paint when Holiday picked up his dribble and had nowhere to go with it. Holiday only had four assists to go along with his six turnovers, which was obviously a factor in the game. Holiday was looking for his own offense, but not getting his teammates looks. He played well defensively, but Holiday has to cut down the silly turnovers. Another thing to mention is that Holiday shot zero free throws.
The starting backcourt of the Pelicans shot two free throws total, which is something to watch moving forward. They have to be more aggressive in the lane, draw contact, get to the line and make them. Holiday and Ball’s free throw shooting is atrocious and a big weakness of this team.