Though you by no means wished to take away an excessive amount of from a summer time league match in mid-July, there are issues for New Orleans’ Pelicans. Diving virtually all alongside, the Pelicans fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 94-81. They’re 0-2 in Las Vegas with three video games to play.
New Orleans obtained 13 factors from Jeremiah Fears, main three two-digit gamers.
Los Angeles was led by Cole Swider, who completed the match with a summit of 21 factors. Arthur Kaluma added 12 extra, as a result of the Lakers had six gamers with 8 or extra factors.
New Orleans got here out rapidly from the door, taking an advance of 9-0 after Lester Quinons shot a three-point pointer after a circulate of Derik Queen. However the Lakers would flip round, closing 1 / 4 on a 22-10 race. Los Angeles made eight of his final 13 pictures throughout the opening interval.
The Pelicans had been in a position to regroup within the second quarter behind the taking pictures of Antonio Reeves. Reeves, which was just lately canceled by New Orleans, scored 7 factors throughout this framework. Based mostly on his very near final season, Reeves was one of many staff’s most common artists after two video games. If the Pelicans can not discover a room for him on the record, a staff is more likely to strive his luck on him as a second unit score possibility.
Once more, nevertheless, it was not that issues began, that is how they completed. The Lakers completed a second sloppy quarter by scoring 11 of the final 16 factors to extend from 40-36 to half-time.
The second half has not improved the standard of the sport. New Orleans has by no means discovered an offensive tempo or defensive id. The Pelicans completed the evening with solely 6 assists whereas turning the ball greater than 17 instances. On the different finish of the court docket, the Lakers displayed 27 assists on 38 baskets created.
After having spectacular moments of their first match, the recruits Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen did not depend on these performances. Fears now attracts 9-33 (2-11 3PA) and solely collects two passes in two video games. Its effectiveness of resolution -making and taking pictures, the 2 considerations when written, should enhance.
Queen (12 factors, 13 rebounds) continues to indicate how certified he’s, however his effort might be characterised as greatest as questionable. A number of instances, he was the final participant on the sphere. Defensively, he was ineffective.
Throughout his second summer time, Yves Missi (7 factors, 11 rebounds) didn’t present a whole lot of progress in his recreation. Missi overloaded with recruit, profitable the beginning place and a spot within the All-Rookie staff. The expectations are larger this season, however Missi remains to be struggling to attain within the basket. His offensive recreation is presently caught in place.
Till now, it’s unlikely that the 2 greatest gamers in New Orleans will play the opening night: Quinons et Reeves. Reeves pulled 50% of the soil, with a median of 15 ppg. Quinons was one of the best menace of the lengthy -distance staff, changing 8 of their 14 three -point makes an attempt.
Pelicans have at all times aligned a strong summer time league staff beneath Willie Inexperienced, however they misplaced eight consecutive video games in Las Vegas.
They’ll search to interrupt this sequence Tuesday after they face the Portland Path Blazers.
