The New Orleans Pelicans blew a 10-point lead in the second half on Monday night against the Kings, and collapsed in an ugly fourth quarter to lose a second consecutive game.
The Pelicans seized control of the game with an 11-1 run in the third quarter, but fell behind just as quickly as Kings guard De’Aaron Fox took over in the fourth quarter. Fox scored 17 fourth-quarter points, and the Pelicans were outscored by 16 points in the final period to fall 118-109.
Here’s the good, the bad and the Ball from Monday’s loss. The Pelicans will return to the court on Wednesday night at home to face the Phoenix Suns.
The good: Willy Hernangomez, and the Pelicans' defensive activity
Pelicans center Steven Adams missed Monday's game with a calf injury, forcing Jaxson Hayes into the starting lineup. Hayes picked up two first-quarter fouls, which led to extended minutes for reserve Willy Henangomez - and Hernangomez may have done enough to convince Stan Van Gundy that he should be a part of the regular rotation. Hernangomez played 29 (!) minutes on Monday after playing just 12 minutes all season leading into the game, and he was productive. Hernangomez finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and assists, and shot 6-of-11 from the floor. He was also one of many Pelicans players who were hyperactive on the defensive end, causing deflections and forcing tough shots and turnovers. It feels strange to say that the Pelicans played well defensively in a game they lost and allowed 118 points in, but New Orleans also forced 20 turnovers.
The bad: Containing De'Aaron Fox
De'Aaron Fox's speed and ability to penetrate make him a tough assignment for any defense, but the Pelicans had absolutely no answers for Fox on Monday night. Fox entered the game on a hot streak, scoring 24 and 30 in his last two games, and he dropped 38 on the Pelicans, outscoring the Pelicans on his own in the fourth quarter to close out the win. In two games against the Pelicans this season, Fox has 81 points.
The Ball: A typical Lonzo performance
Lonzo Ball didn't have the best of nights offensively, finishing the game with 12 points and five assists on 4-of-12 shooting - but he was influential in other areas of the game. Ball had three steals, only committed one turnover, and forced an off-night for Buddy Hield, who went 4-of-15 from deep and shot 25 percent for the game. It wasn't a flashy night for Lonzo, but you often can't gauge his impact from the box score.
Originally published
"bad" - Google News
February 02, 2021 at 01:38PM
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Kings at Pelicans recap: The good, the bad and the Lonzo Ball - Yahoo Sports
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