A strong offensive showing from the Pelicans on Tuesday gave the team a 125-111 win over the Cavaliers.
The Good: The offense
Nearly everything about the offense was humming: 53.4% field goal shooting, 38.2% from three, 29 assists. 125 points. It was as good a night as the Pelicans have had on offense in recent weeks. It made up for a night in which the team allowed 111 points to a Cavaliers team that was averaging just 105 coming in.
Honorable mentions: Brandon Ingram’s first half, Jrue Holiday, Closing fourth quarter, Zion Williamson’s minutes
The Bad: The defense
As much as the offense was working, the Pelicans’ defense left much to be desired. The Cavaliers had 14 offensive rebounds, 57 points off the bench and scored 22 points off the 16 New Orleans turnovers.
Fortunately, Cleveland’s defense is among the league’s worst to make up for what was a sloppy night by the Pelicans.
The Ball: Effective, if inefficient
Lonzo Ball didn’t put up big numbers on Tuesday. He finished with just five points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. He was 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. His four turnovers were the most since his six against the Clippers earlier in January.
Yet he was able to show some signs of his maturation as a player. Particularly late in the game, Ball was able to get the ball up the court and get into sets more quickly. It allowed the team to produce late in the fourth, a rarity for the Pelicans this season.
