New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for important win vs. Nuggets

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Nuggets: Grades for the guards

An uninspiring night from Eric Bledsoe once again, but not necessarily a bad one. Still, Bledsoe is the main name that the Pelicans should try to move by the trade deadline.

I expected Bledsoe to be a bigger focal point for the Pelicans given Lonzo Ball’s absence, but that wasn’t really the case. Bledsoe scored just six points, missing all of his attempted three-pointers. He didn’t really facilitate for others either. At one point, he declined to take on Nikola Jokic on a switch.

Still, Bledsoe was relatively okay on defense and had an important fast-break layup in the last period. He also ended the first half with a block from behind on Will Barton and a couple of points in transition.

Kira Lewis Jr. is quietly putting together a very solid rookie season. The first-year guard out of Alabama is a blessing for the Pelicans’ second unit, as he constantly looks to pick up the pace and make the opponent uncomfortable.

Lewis has earned his playing time and, in all honesty, has a case to start for the Pels going forward if either Lonzo Ball or Eric Bledsoe get moved. He was fearless against the Nuggets and it’s no wonder that Lewis was a +11 while on the floor.

Lewis pushed the ball in transition and either finished or drew fouls. He had a strong finish through Denver center Isaiah Hartenstein’s chest and followed that up by taking the charge from the German big.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker started in place of the absent Lonzo Ball, playing 31 minutes and finishing with 20 points.

The Virginia Tech draftee was a steady offensive presence in the Pelicans’ win. Although there are still times where it seems like the NBA moves too fast for him, there’s little doubt that he provides New Orleans with much-needed firepower.

One thing I’ve liked about Alexander-Walker’s recent games is his willingness to shoot the three. It seems like he is always primed and in position to shoot the rock from deep if it comes to him.

Stan Van Gundy has certainly wanted threes from his guards this year and he is now getting them from Alexander-Walker. The Canadian combo guard has shot eight and nine threes over the last two games, respectively, a big jump from his average of four attempts per game.