New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for huge win over the Bucks

Pelicans vs. Bucks: Player Grades for the power forward and centers

Even though it wasn’t his best game scoring, I thought Zion Williamson played one of the better games of his career.

He played with energy all night, didn’t force his offense, set up his teammates and got all over the boards, which was one of the keys to the game.

Zion ended with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, a block and a steal and knocked down 7-of-10 from the line.

Zion was particularly effective passing out of double teams and found Steven Adams with an absolutely beautiful pass late in the game to put a nail in the coffin.

If the Pels could just knock down more of his kick outs, Zion Williamson would average 4-5 assists per game and if he keeps passing like this he will get there.

What can you say about the big Kiwi?

He only had two points but grabbed 20 rebounds, including TEN OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS while defending Giannis Antetokounmpo most of the game.

The New Orleans Pelicans were shooting well last night but when they missed Adams was there for the boards. On one possession the Pels took two horrible 3-point shots that they predictably missed.

Adams grabbed the rebound twice, once hustling in from the 3-point line to do it, which led to a wide-open 3-pointer that the Pels made.

This is winning basketball. Adams was amazing last night even though he didn’t score. He was a monster on the boards and his screens opened up BI all night. I love him.

What’s this??

A Melli sighting?!? A Melli 3-point shot?

Melli was awful defensively once again, but he did hit two huge shots, a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter that the Pels desperately needed and a running floater (don’t do that again) that stopped a Bucks’ run.

Jaxson Hayes and J.J. Redick didn’t play against the Bucks, as Stan Van Gundy went with an 8-man rotation. If Melli can just knock down the 1-2 of the open shots he gets every time he plays, he will have some value, as right now Hayes and Redick are in the doghouse.

The New Orleans Pelicans can’t celebrate too much as they have another game against Houston tonight. Did this win turn the season around? We shall see.