The New Orlean Pelicans are up to seven wins on the season following a 102-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday at the Moda Center. Here was the good, the bad and the Ball from the game.
The Good: The new-look starting lineup
Alvin Gentry returned to a familiar starting lineup on Sunday with Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, Brandon Ingram and Derrick Favors. Going into Sunday’s game, the Pelicans were 0-2 with that starting lineup, but they had success with it in Portland.
Four of the five starters finished in double figures against the Trail Blazers, with Jrue Holiday leading the way with 21 points, albeit on a lowly 33% shooting from the field. Brandon Ingram wasn’t especially efficient front the field either, but he ended with 19 points.
Obviously, the starting lineup will change once Zion Williamson makes his return, but until then, this should be Gentry’s starting five, health permitting.
The Bad: Portland’s 3-point shooting
The fact that the Pelicans’ two-leading scorers shot a combined 13-39 from the field and they still won is a testament to how poorly the Trail Blazers shot from the field — especially from behind the arc.
Damian Lillard couldn’t hit anything on Sunday night, going 0-10 on his 3-point attempts. CJ McCollum didn’t have much luck either, going 2-10, but his two made 3-pointers were a team-high for Portland.
Every team has bad shooting nights, but the Trail Blazers aren’t in a position to lose games because of bad shots with a 14-17 record.
The Ball
Lonzo Ball left his mark on the Pelicans’ win, tallying 7 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. His shot still isn’t there, but it seems like that’s just something that New Orleans will have to live with this season, if not longer.