The New Orleans Pelicans picked up a much-needed boost with a close 113-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.The Pels beat the fifth-placed Nuggets on the road in a nailbiter that went to the last seconds of the fourth quarter. Ultimately, New Orleans prevailed and got their 18th win of the season, breaking a streak of two consecutive losses.
Denver was always expected to be a tough test for Stan Van Gundy’s squad. They entered the game with the second-best offensive rating in the league and, of course, with a surefire MVP contender in Nikola Jokic.
The Pelicans did well to disrupt Jokic throughout the contest, even though he still finished with a triple-double. Still, it felt to me like Steven Adams did a solid job ensuring that Jokic’s interventions in the game were intermittent and not a constant barrage.
Meanwhile, New Orleans was led to victory by Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. The Pels were without Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick for Sunday’s win. Ball was out with a right hip flexor strain, while Redick hasn’t played since the start of the month due to a heel injury. In fact, the latter might not suit up in a Pels uniform at all anymore with the trade deadline coming up on March 25.
Here are my grades for the Nuggets game, starting with my personal MVP:
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets: Grading the best player
A tremendous night for Brandon Ingram, who was a constant threat during his 36 minutes on the floor and then closed out the game for the Pelicans.
To get this out of the way, Ingram absolutely stuffed the stat sheet. He dropped a cool 30 points while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
This was Ingram back to his best, showing why he should be considered one of the best three-level scorers in the entire NBA. Ingram can drive to the rim despite his slender physique, play in the mid-range, and has constantly improved his three since arriving in New Orleans.
More importantly, this felt like an important moment in Ingram’s season and perhaps even career. Ingram has been criticized at times this year for his uninspiring play in the closing moments of a game, but he put those questions to rest—at least for one night—against Denver.
Although he had a big stroke of luck by getting to repeat two missed free throws due to consecutive lane violations, Ingram also had a crucial and-one jumper in the clutch. He followed that up by drawing two free throws on an aggressive drive that helped seal the win for New Orleans.
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.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Nuggets: Grades for the forwards
It was neck-and-neck between Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram for the New Orleans Pelicans’ best player against Denver.
Williamson finished with 30 points on an efficient 70 percent from the field. It was his 20th consecutive 20+ point game.
Like most other teams, the Nuggets’ forwards couldn’t defend him. Williamson gave JaMychal Green a torrid time whenever he was on the court. He could perfectly have been considered the Pels’ best player on Sunday, but I ultimately went with Ingram for a couple of reasons.
First, Williamson started the game off poorly. After the end of the first quarter, he had shot 1-of-3 and had two turnovers. It was a very brief reminder that Williamson is human. Also, he had four turnovers and only one assist despite handling the ball plenty.
I could keep this B+ grade for Josh Hart every time I write these pieces, to be honest.
Like I always say, we know what to expect from the former Villanova wing. Hart is as reliable as they come. He pitched in with 12 points and was a team-high +12. In particular, Hart had one really nice acrobatic finish in the third quarter.
Hart also made his presence known on the glass. He finished with nine boards, two of them offensive and one in the embers of the game to seal the win.
Well, this was a nice and unexpected surprise.
Nicolò Melli saw 13 minutes of action against the Nuggets after not playing in either of the Pelicans’ last two games. The Italian big was once again in the rotation, probably because of Lonzo Ball’s absence, and made the most of his opportunity.
This was the best I have seen Melli play all season. He kept the ball moving on attack, not forcing anything, and picked up four assists in the process. Defensively, he competed and wasn’t a minus during his time on the floor.
The win against Denver will hopefully be a confidence booster for Melli, even though it’s possible that he is used as a trade piece over the next few days.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Nuggets: Grades for the centers
Nikola Jokic dropped a triple-double, but I don’t think this evaluation of Steven Adams is unfair.
The Kiwi center made things tough for his Serbian counterpart all night long. He didn’t let Jokic get into a rhythm, matching him pound-for-pound in the post and making him have to work hard for most of his points.
More importantly, Adams dominated the glass. He was an intimidating presence on the boards, gathering more offensive rebounds than defensive ones. Adams singlehandedly gave the Pelicans plenty of second-chance opportunities.
As a reminder, Adams cannot be traded ahead of this week’s deadline.
Jaxson Hayes keeps delivering memorable moments, picking up yet another monster poster dunk.
Besides that, it was an unmemorable night for the Texas big, who probably wasn’t too happy to see his former college team get upset in the NCAA tournament the previous day. His only made field goal was that dunk.
Hayes didn’t play much, mostly because it seems like Stan Van Gundy wanted to pair Jokic up with Adams whenever possible. At one point, the Nuggets went to a 2-3 zone and Hayes didn’t yet have the knowhow or decision-making to flash into the middle of said zone and facilitate for his teammates. That was to be expected but is still worth noting.
Up next, the Pelicans will face the Los Angeles Lakers at home. The reigning NBA World Champions are expected to be without LeBron James, who sustained an ankle injury in the Lakers’ last game, and Anthony Davis.