The New Orleans Pelicans snapped their seven-game losing streak in blowout fashion with the 143-120 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. This game was the return of offseason acquisition Jordan Poole, who had been sidelined with a quad injury since November 5th. In this return, Poole finished with 22 points. Although he wasn’t very efficient, shooting 8/19 from the field and 3/11 from three, his impact was felt.
For a while now, the Pelicans have been missing someone outside of Trey Murphy III that they can just give the ball to and trust to create their own offense, and Poole reminded everyone that’s what he was brought in to do. Again, JP didn’t have an efficient game, but when he did score, it was in moments when the Pelicans desperately needed a bucket. His return also adds another floor spacer to this team's offense, making life more difficult for opposing defenses.
Mr. Consistent Trey Murphy III kept up his incredible play tonight, finishing with 23 points on a ridiculous 76 percent shooting from the field. Murphy III continues to prove that he is one of the league's rising three-level scorers, with his ability to kill defenses in transition, from beyond the arc, and in the half-court.
His playmaking is also taking a jump—finishing this one with four assists to just one turnover. Murphy III's development as a playmaker is the clear next step toward All-Star conversations.
Bryce McGowens was also a standout in this win, tying his career high of 23 points in this one to go with seven rebounds and 5/5 shooting from beyond the arc. He is developing into a nice young bench piece for this team, and someone I hope will remain in this rotation even as players return from injury.
Rookies Continue to Impress
These are the types of wins you want if you’re Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars. Not just because your veterans balled out and upped their trade value, but your rookies also showed out.
Starting with Derik Queen, love what I’m seeing from him under James Borrego, as he has become the focus of this team’s offense. The ball is running through him, and it’s working, which is not something teams often can say about their rookie big man. Queen continues to have these monster performances, finishing this win with 17 points, five boards, seven dimes, and two steals.
Jeremiah Fears had the fourth-most efficient game of his career tonight, scoring 19 points on 9/14 shooting from the field. Watching this game, it seemed like so much weight had lifted off Fears’ shoulders by having Poole slot back into the rotation, as it gave the team another guard they could rely on to generate offense. Fears also continues to impress me as a rebound, especially given his frame, finishing this one with six rebounds.
Lastly, Micah Peavy, who didn’t play until the 3:57 mark in the third quarter, but somehow ended the game third on the team in plus-minus as a plus-15. As per usual, Peavy came in and was instant energy. Less than a minute into subbing in, he generated an offensive rebound that resulted in him scoring two points. He also knocked down a three, finishing the game with five points, three rebounds, and one assist in just 11 minutes.