The New Orleans Pelicans are on a roll, if you can call snapping a lengthy losing streak a roll.
The Pelicans head into Wednesday’s NBA Cup group stage game against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, coming off a dominant 143-130 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. The victory ended a nine-game losing streak and marked interim coach James Borrego’s first win in that role, giving the team some much-needed confidence.
The Pelicans wasted little time in making a statement against the Bulls. The lowest-scoring team in the NBA at 108.6 points per game, New Orleans posted or matched its season-best scoring totals for any first quarter (37), second quarter (37), third quarter (34) and overall (143).
The Pelicans shot 51% and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, a season-high total. They had 78 paint points, 34 more than the Bulls.
“You couldn’t ask for a better team win when you look at the stat sheet,” Borrego said. “These guys have gone through a lot. You want some validation for all the work you put in, and it’s hard to see progress when you’re not getting wins.”
Borrego was in his sixth game at the helm following the franchise’s dismissal of Willie Green. The players awarded Borrego the game ball in the locker room after the game.
A healthy Zion Williamson had 29 points, which included 13 free throws. Saddiq Bey and Yves Missi had double-doubles, with Bey contributing 20 points and 13 rebounds and Missi adding 14 and 14.
Borrego had success by starting Jose Alvarado and Missi to open the second half. Alvarado played a season-high 32 minutes. Missi’s 29 minutes were also a season high. They started the half over Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Memphis enters the NBA Cup game having won two of its last three.
The Grizzlies had won two straight, minus stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., before losing Monday night at home to the Denver Nuggets, a game in which Jackson returned from an ankle injury.
Second-year big man Zach Edey stepped up during the absence of Morant and Jackson, including a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds in a road win against Dallas. With Edey manning the low post, the Grizzlies allowed fewer than 100 points in those back-to-back wins.
Memphis had needed the boost Edey provided. Edey missed the first 13 games of the season following offseason ankle surgery. He made his season debut Nov. 15 against Cleveland.
But Edey exited Monday’s game after six minutes with a head injury. He appeared to take a slight elbow to the head from Nikola Jokic in the opening quarter and did not return.
The Grizzlies’ players acknowledged the effect Edey’s absence had.
“Zach is a huge part of what we do, both offensively and defensively,” said rookie Cedric Coward. “Just his presence alone is so meaningful to the team. You guys understand, when he came back, how much better our team got defensively, on the rebounding end, even the offensive end. His roles are gravitating guys inside, so we’re getting easier shots on the outside. It was a huge loss.”
Reserve big man Jock Landale filled in admirably for Edey against the Nuggets with a career-high-tying 26 points and 10 rebounds.
