Pelicans Reactions: Nets blow out Pelicans in Kevin Durant’s return
For the second night running, the New Orleans Pelicans were routed on the road on Wednesday, falling to the Nets 139-111.
A back-and-forth first quarter saw the two teams swap leads and the advantage never reach larger than six points. However, after Brooklyn took the lead at the 6:38 mark of the first quarter, they would never relent. The advantage grew to midway through the fourth and then exploded in the second half.
Three Pelicans finished in double figures before garbage time with Eric Bledsoe leading the way at 26 points. Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball had 16 and 15 points, respectively.
For Brooklyn, Kyrie Irving had 24 and LaMarcus Aldridge 22 as the Nets shot 18-for-38 from the 3-point line.
The Good: Jaxson Hayes
There weren't many bright spots for the Pelicans but one that has shined in recent weeks is Jaxson Hayes. The big man has been tasked with some unique challenges in the last week with the undermanned Pelicans but has continued to look strong. On Wednesday, he had 11 points and six rebounds despite spending a good chunk of time at power forward for the second game running.
The Bad: Defense
It's not worth harping on too much but for the second straight game, the Pelicans played just abysmal defense for most of the last two games. On one hand, it's a lot of pieces that haven't played together this season. On the other hand, it's simple things that they're not doing. Rotating to shooters and knowing personnel, for example, do not change.
Lonzo Ball: Aggressive and efficient
On Tuesday, Ball was aggressive but inefficient as a shooter. On Wednesday, he was aggressive and efficient, going 6-of-11 from the field for his 15 points. Ball's 3-pointer was not falling as he shot just 1-of-6, so he showed off his mid-range game. He also added three assists and a steal but, for the second game in a row, did not play in the fourth quarter.
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