New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for undermanned loss vs. Hawks

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Hawks: Grades for the guards

Eric Bledsoe reflected the New Orleans Pelicans’ performance. He started out well but fizzled out after halftime.

I like how Bledsoe played in the first half. He was aggressive attacking the rim and either getting fouled, trying to finish, or kicking it out after collapsing the defense. When he wasn’t driving, then Bledsoe was patient getting to his spots and looking for good shots—even if not all of them went in.

However, Bledsoe had a really quiet second half. He only took three shots, making solely one of them. Still, Bledsoe has improved as of late. This was his fifth consecutive game scoring double digits, something which he had only done once in his previous eight games.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker had the worst game of the great stretch he has been on.

It’s nothing to get worried about, as I think being asked to carry the Pels’ offense for the second night in a row was just too much for Alexander-Walker at this stage. He tried to be aggressive, but his legs weren’t really there.

The Canadian combo guard went 3-for-15 from the field. Alexander-Walker shot up plenty of threes, as has recently been the case, but made only two of his eight attempts.

He also struggled on defense, finding it hard to stay in front of Bogdan Bogdanović or Kevin Huerter. Going forward, Alexander-Walker will hopefully get some help in terms of scoring with the signing of Isaiah Thomas on a 10-day contract.