Pelicans @ Spurs Takeaways
Chrissy Smith • December 18, 2023
Team Stats
(Pelicans @ Spurs)
Final Score: 146-110
Rebounds: 52-39
Assists: 38-29
Blocks: 3-6
Steals: 11-6
Turnovers: 13-13
Stat Leaders
(Pelicans/Spurs)
Scoring Leaders: CJ McCollum, 29; Victor Wembanyama, 17
Rebound Leaders: Jonas Valanciunas, 16; Victor Wembanyama, 13
Assist Leaders: Naji Marshall, 7; Tre Jones, 5
My Player of the Game: Jonas Valančiūnas
Takeaways
- It was incredibly hard to pick just one player of the game but I picked Jonas because he has been the most consistent lately at scoring and rebounds. He's been a top 10 center in the league without a doubt, and his hustle is infectious.
- Zion Williamson was banging on the boards harder than he has all season. It was great to see. Plus, he was attacking the rim with fource.
- Brandon Ingram was BACK after only scoring eight points against the Hornets. He could have scored over 30 easily, but because of the huge lead the Pelicans had, he didn't get quite as many minutes as usual.
- CJ McCollum brought the heat from behind the three point line.
- The Pelicans actually hit a franchise-record 22 three-pointers field goals against the Spurs.
- Naji Marshall hit several big threes, and he also led the team with assists (7).
- New Orleans' next game will be on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at home against the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant.
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Team Stats (Pelicans at Nuggets) Final Score: 88-122 Rebounds: 36-57 Assists: 17-40 Steals: 9-5 Blocks: 3-5 Turnovers: 12-14 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 21; Nikola Jokić, 21 Rebound Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 7; Nikola Jokić, 12 Assist Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 6; Nikola Jokić, 10 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The starters for this game were Fears, Murphy III, Jones, Zion, and Deandre Jordan. So that was different, and it didn't work at all. * With most of the third quarter over, Zion had five total points in the game. He finished with 11. * The Nuggets went on a 32-4 run in the third quarter. The Pelicans came out very slow to start off the third. * New Orleans went 7-of-33 from the three-point line. * Nikola Jokić had a triple-double. The Pelicans had no answer for him all night. * Do the Pelicans know that the season has started because the majority of the guys out there look like they still think they're playing Summer League. * The problem with this team isn't the talent because they have that. So what's the problem? Coaching, effort, etc.? This has to be fixed ASAP. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
Team Stats (Celtics at Pelicans) Final Score: 122-90 Rebounds: 54-35 Assists: 25-17 Steals: 5-7 Blocks: 7-0 Turnovers: 11-13 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Anfernee Simons, 25; Jordan Poole, 22 Rebound Leaders: Neemias Queta, 11; Yves Miss, 7 Assist Leaders: Payton Prichard, 8; Trey Murphy, III, 5 My Player of the Game: Jordan Poole Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The first two losses of the season were tough but at least the team looked good. In this game, no one looked fired up to compete except Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado. * Zion did not play because he's been spending all offseason getting in shape just so he could rest after two games. Makes no sense to me. * Trey Murphy and Herb Jones need to find their spark and stride. These guys have been putting in a ton of work in the offseason but it isn't showing right now. * Willie Green has got to be on a short leash because this 0-3 start feels like the team is just picking up where they left off except this time they're healthy and have all the momentum in the world. * The next three games for the Pelicans will be on the road against Denver, Clippers, and Thunder . Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.