New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades in 109-99 Win Over Memphis

New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades for the small forwards.

Small Forwards

I thought Josh Hart was the best player on the floor last night and his energy, defense, rebounding and clutch shooting were keys to the Pelicans’ victory. Hart came off the bench and scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, not huge numbers, but it seemed like every one of them were important. He hit two three-pointers when the Pelicans were really struggling offensively that helped slow the Memphis momentum. He grabbed several rebounds in traffic and his rebounding overall allowed the Pelicans to do small. He brought the energy, diving into the plexiglass for a loose ball and cutting his hand in the process. Hart’s energy and hustle were infectious. I’ve been screaming for him to get more minutes, he did, and he made the most of them.

Brandon Ingram had a very good all-around game for the Pelicans, and would have been graded higher if not for the fact he missed four free throws. The Pels made just 24-39 from the line for an abysmal 61.5%. Ingram is usually one of their best free throw shooters, so seeing him brick them was disturbing. He played well overall though, leading the team with 24 points and adding seven rebounds and five assists. He did have four turnovers as well, something else to keep an eye on, as Ingram has been coughing it up more often lately. He carried the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, hitting a couple of huge and difficult shots down the stretch. It was a nice bounce-back game for B.I.