New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for overtime win vs. Timberwolves

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Timberwolves: Grades for the guards

Lonzo Ball is what made my above choice very difficult.

Ball had the flamethrower going all night long. After a scorching start from beyond the arc, the former UCLA guard was unforgiving. He splashed three after three, keeping the Pelicans in the game during pivotal moments and making some big time shots. Ball ended with a career-high 33 points.

Beyond his heroics from the perimeter, Ball was solid everywhere else. He was two assists short of another triple-double, made all but one of his six free throws, and also pitched in with three steals.

I enjoyed Ball’s defense in overtime, especially. He had a couple of really good possessions on Anthony Edwards, who I thought the Timberwolves should have looked at more, and played a key role in ensuring this win for the Pelicans.

New Orleans must do everything possible to retain Ball’s services when he becomes a restricted free agent in just a few months.

A pretty solid game for Eric Bledsoe that might be overlooked because of Ball’s incredible night.

However, the former Bucks guard was really steady. His play has been better since the trade deadline and, although the Pelicans should still look to trade him, Bledsoe has not actively hurt the team as he was doing during his first few months in New Orleans.

Bledsoe didn’t force much and just made the correct decisions. He has started to keep his game more simple in recent times, focusing less on launching threes at a high volume and concentrating more on getting downhill.

When Bledsoe is slashing towards the rim, that’s when he is at his most dangerous. He can make some nice passes or draw free throws. Overall, a good performance.

Kira Lewis Jr. didn’t stuff the stat sheet, but he was probably the Pelicans’ best player off the bench.

Lewis kept things ticking when he was on the floor, even if his shot wasn’t falling. He made smart cuts, took care of the ball, and had four assists.

However, I thought the Pels’ rookie struggled on the other end of the floor. Lewis was taken advantage of on defense multiple times. For instance, he gave up an and-1 to D’Angelo Russell or got caught ballwatching on a back cut by Jordan McLaughlin.