The Pelicans put forth an impressive effort in the team’s first scrimmage contest against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Though it came against an undermanned side, New Orleans’ strong performance should still be noted as a positive takeaway.
The depth from the Pelicans was on display as 14 players saw time on the court and 13 of those players scored. In fact, it was the bench that blew open the game in the second half.
Just as impressive, though, was the defense the Pelicans exhibited, even if it did just come in an exhibition contest. Brooklyn was held to 68 points on the night and had two separate 14-point quarters.
On Thursday during his media availability, Lonzo Ball talked about the team’s first game and their focus on the defensive side of the court.
“I think it was just good to play against some other people. We’re still trying to focus on defense. Not too worried about offense, right now. Today was more about just coming in and getting our work done that we need to get done. A lot of focus on close-outs today, which is also defense, so I think just moving forward, that’s our main goal, right now.”
This is the second time in a short period that Ball has mentioned the team’s focus on defense during their time in the bubble. Earlier in the week, Ball noted the team’s focus on defense in practices in the bubble.
Even when asked on Thursday about the team’s offense in the scrimmage, Ball again circled around to their focus remaining on the defense.
“Like I said, I don’t think offense is going to be a problem for us. We got a lot of playmakers, a lot of unselfish guys, so not too worried about that end of the ball.”
Through one game, the focus seems to have paid some dividends. That being said, the team could hardly have asked for an easier first game given how depleted the Nets roster is. Saturday and Monday will offer stiffer challenges for the Pelicans with matchups against the Nuggets and Bucks, respectively.
While each of those games will be a scrimmage, the intensity will progressively pick up in these games as teams look to ramp up heading into the seeding games.
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