New Orleans Pelicans: How to build on the win over the Celtics

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson needs more shots

Maybe the most impressive part of the win for me was the way Zion Williamson bounced back from his worst first half of the season to help lead the Pelicans to victory.

Brandon Ingram was amazing down the stretch and eventually sealed the game with a 3-point shot and some timely free throws, but it was Zion’s 24 points in the second half that really boosted the Pels.

I’ve been screaming all season that Zion Williamson needs at least 20 shots per game and he finally got them against the Celtics, though it took an overtime session to get it done.

This should be the norm moving forward, as the Pels have too often gone away from Zion late in games even when he was rolling.

Zion didn’t have his normal efficient night but he was crucial down the stretch and showed that he can play big minutes, logging 40 overall including the entire 4th quarter and overtime.

Zion Williamson’s gravity draws in defenders and was the reason Brandon Ingram was open for some of the huge 3-pointers he hit down the stretch.

Zion needs to get his shots and should have the ball in his hands late in games when he can take advantage of the other team’s fatigue.

This was the biggest win of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans but it will be meaningless unless they build on it, starting with blowing out the Pistons on Wednesday.