New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for win vs. Rockets

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Rockets: Grades for the guards

Eric Bledsoe continues his streak of decent performances.

Even though the former Bucks guard finished 4-of-15 from the field, he still contributed 19 points. Importantly, all four of his makes came from three, but Bledsoe was also very good at getting to the free throw line.

Bledsoe took a season-high eight free throws for him, which is nice to see given how up-and-down his jumper can be. That’s now six consecutive games scoring double digits for Bledsoe.

Let’s see if he can rebuild his reputation around the league.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker only played 14 minutes before limping off the court with an ankle injury.

Let’s hope he is alright, as the Pels’ combo guard has been a huge boon to his team over the past month. Before going off, Alexander-Walker was not having a good game offensively—2-of-5 and having missed his only three—but he was competing on defense.

Alexander-Walker’s absence from the rotation after his injury meant more minutes for Naji Marshall and Wes Iwundu. Both of them will inject the Pelicans with more defense and length, but sorely lack Alexander-Walker’s self-creation abilities, general knack for scoring, and especially his ability to space the floor.

If Alexander-Walker is out for an extended period of time, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Isaiah Thomas’ 10-day contract with the Pels get extended. New Orleans will need more offensive firepower.

Thomas is expected to be available for the Pels’ next game after missing this one because of health and safety protocols.