New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for overtime loss vs. Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Knicks: Grades for the guards
LONZO BALL. C-. . Guard. New Orleans Pelicans
It seems like Lonzo Ball is working himself back into the swing of things after two consecutive hip injuries.
Ball played just 27 minutes, which seems like a decent amount but he would’ve likely played more under regular circumstances. The former UCLA guard was on a minutes restriction, so it was tough for him to get into a real rhythm. He still had a few bright moments on offense, including a coast-to-coast take and a beautiful lob pass for Zion Williamson.
On defense, it’s tough to forget the closing moments of the fourth quarter. With the Pels up three points, Ball rotated to stop a layup from Derrick Rose but instead gave up a wide open corner three to Reggie Bullock (a 40 percent three-point shooter).
That trey took the game to overtime and the Pels proceeded to lose.
B. . Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC BLEDSOE
The Pelicans really failed to make use of Eric Bledsoe‘s second half heroics.
Bledsoe was having a typically sleepy game, but singlehandedly dragged the Pelicans back into the contest right after the break. The Kentucky product was on fire for a good while, scoring the most points he has scored in a quarter this season.
However, the end of the game tainted his great showing. Bledsoe recognized later that he was meant to foul Derrick Rose on the Knicks’ last possession that eventually resulted in overtime.
That lapse is hard to forgive, especially from someone who is supposed to be the veteran presence on a young team. Bledsoe’s grade gets docked because of that, even if Lonzo Ball should have still known better.
Bledsoe was also handed the Pelicans’ last shot—not his fault, but still a very odd decision—that was blocked by Rose. Still, one of Bledsoe’s best performances in a New Orleans uniform.
Bledsoe on the last Knicks shot at the end of regulation: "I should've fouled D Rose and sent him to the line."
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 18, 2021
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C-. . Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. KIRA LEWIS JR.
Kira Lewis Jr. played a little bit less than usual, racking up just 12 minutes in which he scored three points and delivered a pair of assists.
Like I mentioned after the Pelicans’ last game versus the Wizards, Lewis has stagnated a bit over the last few weeks. That’s normal for a rookie and nothing to be concerned about.
The only bad thing is that New Orleans has no one to pick up what they are lacking with Lewis’ production having waned. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the other main guy tasked with providing firepower off the bench, but he has missed the last eight games with an ankle injury.