Brandon Ingram’s return could be turning point for Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans got a much-needed win on the road vs. the Detroit Pistons to end a stretch of six games in nine days.
It was the end of a third-straight back-to-back, and the Pels got down early, so it would have been easy to pack it in and take their 5th loss in a row.
But the Pelicans stayed within striking distance behind the return of Brandon Ingram, who had missed the previous five games.
Ingram hit an array of tough shots to keep the Pelicans close before they were able to come back in the 3rd quarter and eventually win it in the 4th.
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New Orleans got another strong defensive effort, and used their size advantage to dominate the boards for second-chance points.
Jose Alvarado hit some timely shots and Herb Jones did a little of everything in the win.
It was a game the Pelicans should have won, as Detroit is a bad team, but with Brandon Ingram back, it could be a turning point in the season.
The New Orleans Pelicans schedule
The Pelicans schedule looks a little better in February after a brutal January that ended with all of those back-to-backs.
New Orleans will finish their road trip against the Nuggets and Rockets before returning home to play the Rockets again.
The Pelicans played the Nuggets close in their last matchup without Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas, so that is a game they can win at full strength.
Same with the two against the Rockets, who are the worst team in the Western Conference and have lost four straight.
They then stay at home for another five games, playing the Heat, Spurs, Raptors, Grizzlies and Mavericks, definitely no gimmes there but New Orleans has played much better at home.
There are some positive signs that wins are coming.