New hair, a big 4th quarter and a bench boost in Pelicans win over Bulls
Jose Alvarado sparked the run that won the Pelicans the game
It was a tight game through three quarters with several runs and lead changes.
That was until undrafted rookie Jose Alvarado took over the game in the 4th. Alvarado scored 14 of his 15 points in the 4th quarter, and was the catalyst behind a 40 point team effort in the final frame.
The Bulls had no answer for his dribble penetration, and when he wasn’t getting to the rack, he was moving without the ball, getting himself open for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
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I thought he played Zach LaVine the best of any of the Pelicans’ defenders and his energy gave the Pelicans life several times throughout the game.
There was a play late in the 2nd that symbolized the effect Jose Alvarado has on games. After missing a wide-open runner, Alvarado hustled back on defense to get the steal from behind on LaVine, then led the break going the other way and eventually finished at the rim through contact from center Vucevic.
It gave the Pelicans the lead and was one of the points in the game where the momentum shifted because of his energy and hustle.
But he wasn’t the only boost off the bench.