3 takeaways from New Orleans Pelicans big win over the Suns

The New Orleans Pelicans lived at the free-throw line

New Orleans shot just 27 percent from 3-point range last night, and usually when that happens the result is not a win.

The Pelicans were able to make it up at the free-throw line, where they took a whopping 41 attempts last night, making 33 of them for 80.5 percent.

The Suns only went to the line 24 times and made 18 of them, so that differential was the difference in the game.

Both CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram shot 11 apiece, making 18-of-22 and Devonte’ Graham went 5-of-5 from the bench.

New Orleans has not been a good shooting team this season, and while that should improve somewhat with the addition of McCollum, getting to the free-throw line will be crucial down the stretch for the Pels.

The Pels are currently 5th in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game, and that’s without Zion, so this will be a big weapon for them now and when they are finally at full strength.