And just like that, before the streak could get 10 straight losses, the New Orleans Pelicans finally won. This win now moves the Pels to 3-15, and while that record may make it hard for some fans to celebrate this win. It won’t stop me.
New Orleans played fast, aggressive, and free in the 143-130 win over the Chicago Bulls. There were stretches where Chicago fought its way back into striking distance, but instead of falling apart like in games past, the Pelicans kept battling.
This win is also significant, as it’s the first under interim head coach James Borrego. Let’s dive into a note for each player's performance in this one.
The starters.
Jeremiah Fears - Speed. It’s been a trend all year--- he plays fast and controlled, which is exactly what this team needs from the guard position. The team scored 23 points off turnovers, and Fears ' ability to push the pace was a huge reason why.
Saddiq Bey - Bey struggled in the first half...but really turned things up in the second. He started using his body to overpower the smaller Chicago guards, especially on the glass, as he recorded a season high 14 rebounds to go with his 20 points.
Trey Murphy III - Nine shots in the first half is the type of aggressiveness I’ve been begging him to play with all season. But as it has all season, the aggressive shot diet toned down in the second half, as he finished the night with just 16 shots.
Zion Williamson - Vintage Zion. Chicago spent most of the game playing extremely small, with three guards and sometimes even four, because Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins were out. This was something Z recognized and took full advantage of as he scored at his own will in the paint, finishing with 29 points on 8/14 shooting.
Derik Queen - DQ was quiet tonight, but impactful. He was making the right read in virtually every single situation during the course of this game.
The bench bullies.
As strong as the starting unit was, the bench may have out done them.
Jose Alvarado - If it weren't for Alvarado's ridiculous eight points and six dimes in the first quarter, the Pelicans wouldn’t have won this game. He brought the energy in the first quarter, and the rest of the team carried it through the rest of the game.
Yves Missi - Dominant. If there was anyone who took advantage of Chicago playing small tonight, it was Missi. He had a double-double at the half and was getting whatever he wanted in the paint.
Micah Peavy - Peavy did what he's done all season: cutting hard, generating turnovers that lead to easy buckets, and crashing the offensive glass. But these things were more prominent tonight because the team was winning. He also had the highlight of the night with his monster putback dunk. This was by far his best game of the season, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and an impressive four steals. No one is a bigger fan of this young man than I am.
Bryce McGowens - No one made more out of their minutes tonight than Mr. McGowens. As a player on a two-way deal, you have to make the most out of any small opportunity you get, and he did just that. Going 3/4 from the field and 2/3 from three to account for 11 points.