New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for massive win vs. Clippers

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Clippers: Grades for the guards

A relative bounce-back night for Lonzo Ball, who turned around his drab start to March with a big showing against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ball set the tone for the New Orleans Pelicans right at the start of the game. He made three quick triples and was aggressive getting into the Clippers’ defense. On top of that, he was sometimes tasked with guarding Paul George. While George is an obvious mismatch for Ball, the Pelicans guard competed and bothered him. George finished with only 15 points.

It was a return to form from Ball, making five of his eight attempted threes and giving out five assists. His physicality and willingness to get into the paint were great to see, as well.

A solid performance from Eric Bledsoe.

Bledsoe didn’t do too much, but he also didn’t hinder the Pelicans’ play. The former Milwaukee Bucks guard missed both of his triples, but he actively facilitated for his teammates during his 26 minutes on the floor. Bledsoe ended with eight assists and just a single turnover.

The reason I’m docking Bledsoe a little bit is, again, because of his defensive effort. Bledsoe’s defense has a malaise around it that is difficult to understand these days. Ahead of the trade deadline, watch out for the Clippers as a possible suitor for Bledsoe.

Kira Lewis Jr. continued to get valuable minutes in Sunday’s game against the Clippers.

Lewis played 27 minutes, which is great experience for a first-year player. The Pels’ rookie ended with 13 points and four assists. Like always, he gave the Pelicans an energy boost off the bench with his knack for getting downhill and being active with his hands on defense.

The next step for Lewis will be refining his outside shot. Lewis made one of his four attempted threes versus Los Angeles, missing those he took before garbage time. The Alabama draftee is shooting just 26 percent from beyond the arc in his last seven games for New Orleans.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was going to continue getting minutes for the Pels due to JJ Redick’s heel injury, but his night was unfortunately cut short.

The Virginia Tech product only saw the floor for six minutes before limping back to the locker room. Alexander-Walker suffered a right ankle sprain and did not return to the game. The first time he faced the Clippers this season, he had a career-high 37 points.

Let’s see how long Alexander-Walker is out for since that would further deplete the Pels’ guard rotation..