The New Orleans Pelicans opened the regular season on the road against the Raptors in Tampa Bay on Wednesday, their second straight season-opener against Toronto. Despite a strong preseason, the Pelicans came out of the gates slow, trailing by as many as 11 points on the night and by seven at halftime.
The third quarter, though, is where the duo of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram came alive. Ball knocked down each of his three three-point attempts in the period and hit both of his freebies, totaling 13 points in the frame. Ingram, meanwhile, poured in 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting overall and 3-of-4 shooting from range.
The big third period propelled the Pelicans to a nine-point lead by the end of the period and, eventually, a 113-99 victory.
In total on the night, Ball finished with 16 points on 4-of-9 shooting while going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and 4-of-6 at the line. Ball also added five rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks. Each of the Pelicans starters had a block and a steal on the night, the first time in franchise history that has occurred.
