Pelicans visit Rockets while making run at play-in berth
One month into the season, the notion of the New Orleans Pelicans challenging for a playoff berth seemed inconceivable given the absence of Zion Williamson and their ragged start.
But following their 113-105 road victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, the Pelicans are just one-half game out of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans has won consecutive games for the third time since the calendar turned and will pursue its first three-game win streak since late December on the road Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
Without Williamson, the Pelicans have utilized an egalitarian approach rallying from a 1-12 start. Brandon Ingram is an undeniable star while Jonas Valanciunas has been stellar in his first season in New Orleans, but the Pelicans have inched back into playoff contention thanks to the contributions of role players like rookie forward Herb Jones and third-year center Jaxson Hayes.
«Herb is a guy that just continues to get better,» Pelicans coach Willie Green said. «He puts the work in in practice, he’s a willing learner and we’re just seeing all of his hard work on display.»
Jones scored 18 of his team-high 25 points in the fourth quarter against Denver and has averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in the 18 games since he produced a career-high 26 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 28.
In the three games since he joined the starting lineup to provide the Pelicans a supersized front line, Hayes has averaged 15.7 points (on 87.5 percent shooting), 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He went 9 for 9 and paired 22 points with 11 rebounds against the Nuggets.
«Jaxson was phenomenal,» Green said. «He didn’t miss a shot so No. 1, that was great for us. But he executed on both ends of the floor. He guarded (Denver All-Star center Nikola) Jokic late in the game and gave us a different look with J.V. (Valanciunas) getting in foul trouble.
«I thought his energy was great. He’s given us a huge boost, a huge lift, and we talked about it before the game having him at the 4: that size, that lift, his ability to rebound the ball, get out and run has been helping us.»
Two days after ending an 11-game home losing skid, the Rockets delivered an effort described as «disappointing» by Houston coach Stephen Silas, a 131-106 road loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Rockets have struggled mightily on defense all season long and the Spurs took full advantage Friday, shooting 57.3 percent overall while making 13 of 28 3-pointers and amassing 68 points in the paint.
The Rockets were repeatedly a step slow and often lacked the communication needed to thrive defensively, common shortcomings for Houston this season. The one bright spot was the play of rookie guard Josh Christopher, who scored a season-high 23 points with five rebounds, four assists and three steals and again showed a knack for orchestrating the second-team offense.
«He continues to play well, earn his minutes and keep his foot on the pedal,» Silas said of Christopher, «which is great.»
–Field Level Media
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