New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from big win over the Mavericks
The New Orleans Pelicans got a big win over a shorthanded Dallas team behind another spectacular effort from Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans are now just 3.5 games behind the Mavericks for the 8th playoff spot are are right in the thick of the hunt for the play-in game.
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This is one of the toughest stretches of the season for the Pels and the schedule gets much easier, so if they can weather this they still have a fighting chance at the playoffs.
It took a big 4th quarter (specifically the last four minutes of it) for the Pels to pull this one off even though the Mavericks were missing both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Could this be the win that finally gets the Pelicans going? Here are three takeaways.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is exceeding expectations
Zion Williamson came into the NBA with more hype than anyone since LeBron James and he is somehow managing to exceed it.
Ever since Stan Van Gundy gave Zion more ball-handling duties, his game, and the Pelicans’ offense, have taken off.
Zion poured in 38 points against the Mavs after setting a career high with 39 the game before. Over the last ten he has averaged 28 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting a staggering 67.4 percent.
He is basically Shaq if he were a point guard and accounted for nearly all of the Pelicans’ 4th quarter points either through his own hoops or setting up teammates.
Zion Williamson is playing big minutes, leading his team and has evolved into a superstar in year two at just 20-years-old.
Not since LeBron has a guy entered the league with such lofty expectations and actually exceeded them.