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Zion Williamson (R) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Zion Williamson (R) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-106 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, securing their third straight win.
The Pelicans’ star duo, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, dominated different quarters of the game, but it was unlikely a well-planned arrangement. Ingram had an electric start by shooting 7-for-10 from the field to get 16 points in the first period. His performance enabled the Pelicans to launch a 22-4 run and lead by as many as 21 points (33-12).
However, the easy lead went away soon in the second quarter during which the Pelicans were outscored 32-20 by the Clippers. Paul George, Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard combined to get 27 points for the Clippers in this period. The team got as many as five steals and forced the opponents to commit eight turnovers in this quarter alone.
Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Four of those turnovers came from Williamson. The Clippers put P.J. Tucker in front of him in the second period, but it was not that Williamson was contained well by Tucker, more like Williamson lacked the confidence or aggression to attack Tucker. He often stopped with the ball in the high post and then saw his passes to the corner intercepted.
The Clippers didn’t miss Tucker’s defensive effect on Williamson and put him in the starting lineup in the third period to replace Terance Mann, probably expecting the 38-year-old veteran to continue to shut Williamson down. However, coach Tyronn Lue misjudged this time. Williamson went 5-for-8 to score 12 points in the third quarter for the Pelicans. As long as he didn’t post up and tussle with Tucker, there wasn’t much that Tucker could do to limit him. All of the five shots he made were in the paint, and he also earned five free throws.
Zion Williamson (C) of the New Orleans Pelicans penetrates in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Zion Williamson (C) of the New Orleans Pelicans penetrates in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Williamson continued to rattle the paint in the fourth quarter. He was either too big or too quick for any Clipper to guard, especially when they had a small-ball squad with no true rim protector on the court. Williamson made three field goals (FGs) and three free throws to add nine points in this period. His biggest play was a putback that extended their lead from four (110-106) to six points with 34.1 seconds to go.
In that possession, Williamson broke in from the 3-point line and rose up over James Harden and Paul George. He missed that shot, and Harden nearly had his arms around the rebound. Nonetheless, Williamson pulled the ball out of Harden’s hands and put it into the hoop. His power and athleticism were perfectly displayed in this play.
Moritz Wagner (#21) of the Orlando Magic drives toward the rim in the game against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Moritz Wagner (#21) of the Orlando Magic drives toward the rim in the game against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Other games on Friday (away teams come first):
Boston Celtics 96-113 Orlando Magic
The Celtics had a good start of leading 30-19 in the first quarter at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, but their bench unit was completely outmatched by their Magic counterpart. Moritz Wagner alone had 27 points off the bench, outscoring all backup players of the Celtics. Meanwhile, Cole Anthony added 16 points and six assists.
The Magic gained the lead in the third period during which the Celtics took another hit. Their starting center Kristaps Porzingis left the game with calf tightness. His absence left the team vulnerable in the paint, where the Magic made 12 of their 14 attempts in the fourth period. Having pocketed their sixth consecutive win, the Magic rose to the second place in the Eastern Conference.
Stephen Curry (R) of the Golden State Warriors shoots in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
Stephen Curry (R) of the Golden State Warriors shoots in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, November 24, 2023. /CFP
San Antonio Spurs 112-118 Golden State Warriors
The Warriors extended the Spurs’ losing streak to 11 games at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, but they nearly blew the victory due to their own mistakes. They led 110-95 when there were fewer than three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but then the Warriors committed four straight turnovers and allowed the opponents an 11-0 run in 74 seconds.
Fortunately for the Warriors, they had Stephen Curry who made six consecutive free throws in the rest of the game so the team wouldn’t have to suffer an embarrassing loss at home.
Phoenix Suns 110-89 Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat 98-100 New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls 108-121 Toronto Raptors
Detroit Pistons 113-136 Indiana Pacers
Denver Nuggets 86-105 Houston Rockets
Washington Wizards 128-131 Milwaukee Bucks
Sacramento Kings 124-111 Minnesota Timberwolves
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