Pelicans @ Trail Blazers Takeaways
Chrissy Smith • October 28, 2024
Team Stats
(Trail Blazers @ Pelicans)
Final Score: 118-100
Rebounds: 38-34
Assists: 21-24
Blocks: 5-3
Steals: 10-5
Turnovers: 11-12
Stat Leaders
(Trail Blazers/Pelicans)
Scoring Leaders: Anfernee Simons, 24; Brandon Ingram, 27
Rebound Leaders: Deandre Ayton, 13; Yves Missi, 7
Assist Leaders: Scoot Henderson, 5; Jose Alvarado, 6
My Player of the Game: Brandon Ingram
Takeaways
- Considering the Pelicans were without four starters, the home team put on a good showing, hanging with the Trail Blazers until the fourth quarter.
- Brandon Ingram is having a great start to the season.
- Zion Williamson was out for the second game in a row and wasn't even in the building for this game. He was told my his doctors to "stay home" for Monday's game.
- The Pelicans have to get healthy soon before they get too far in the hole in the Western Conference. Last season, the difference between fourth place and eighth place was decided by four games so the early stretch right now is important.
- Brandon Boston Jr. is playing on a 10-day contract and he's proving himself to be worthy of that with some great minutes lately. In this game, he scored 20 points.
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Saints did not show up ready to play. I believe we’ve heard that plenty of times in the Kellen Moore era. But here we are, saying it once again after a game that meant a whole lot to this city and a game the Saints needed to win to avoid a 1-3 start to their season. Unfortunately the organization from the top down played a part in this embarrassing showing. The defense, down a couple starters, played like a unit that did not want to be out on the field at times during the game. Injuries alone are not an excuse for a showing like the one the Saints defense just gave. The defense couldn’t do anything right, they couldn’t stop the run or pass all night as the Falcons just had their way all game long. Brandon Staley has been emphasizing a bend don’t break defense with this unit in his tenure but tonight the defense was completely shattered. On offense it was the same old story. Another slow start forcing the team to play from behind yet again and scoring some points late to make it seem more respectable than the game really was. The Saints cannot figure out the run game and continue to put the whole offense on Shough’s shoulders and to his credit is showing he can be a good quarterback in this league. The offensive line is a big issue and with all the investment put into the line, the production has been inexcusable. Shough took some big hits this game and will continue to do so if the Saints don’t get this operation right soon. We’ll see if the coaches can make it happen because thus far they have not been able to. Ultimately when you lose a game the way the Saints did tonight everyone in the organization from the top down played a part in this one. We’re watching a team that does not have the talent or depth to consistently make enough plays to win. Nor have they shown to have a coaching staff to make up for the roster’s shortcomings. A quarter of the way through the season and the Saints are 1-3 and looking like the expectations placed on them this offseason have been too much too soon. They’ve got time to flip the script as there is plenty of season left to be played but they need to do it fast or otherwise suffer the consequences.
Twenty years ago, the city of New Orleans was forever changed. The "Rebirth" game when the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina was more than a football game already. However, when Steve Gleason blocked the first punt of the game and it was returned for a touchdown, everyone in the building knew it was over.