The New Orleans Pelicans came tantalizingly close to upsetting the Boston Celtics, falling just short in a 120-119 nail-biter. While the loss stings, it provided a tantalizing glimpse of what this Pelicans team could be when firing on all cylinders.
The game came down to the wire, with C.J. McCollum taking the final shot for New Orleans. With 6.6 seconds left, McCollum drove for a layup that was mere millimeters from dropping. It was a good look and the right call given the circumstances. Zion Williamson was doubled, and there wasn’t enough time to run a complex play to get him the ball.
What’s most encouraging is how the Pelicans’ starters performed against one of the NBA’s elite teams. The lineup of Dejounte Murray, McCollum, Trey Murphy, Williamson, and Yves Missi outscored the Celtics’ starters by seven points in just 13 minutes of action. Their offensive rating of 128.6 would be the best in the league by a wide margin, while their defensive rating of 103.6 would rank second.
Individual performances were equally impressive. Murphy knocked down 5 of 10 threes en route to 30 points. Murray may have had his best game as a Pelican, posting 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. Williamson’s impact was felt beyond his 16 points, as he racked up 5 steals and opened up the floor for his teammates.
The Pelicans’ ability to hang with the Celtics demonstrates the talent on this roster when healthy. While closing out games remains a challenge, the potential is clearly there. If New Orleans can build on this performance and find consistency, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ performance against the Celtics, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Analyzing C.J. McCollum’s final shot attempt
• The impact of Zion Williamson’s return on team dynamics
• Dejounte Murray’s improved three-point shooting with Zion on the court
