Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, acquired as part of the Anthony Davis trade package with the Lakers this summer, got off to a slow start in New Orleans. That said, Ball has displayed marked improvement since returning to the team’s starting lineup four games ago, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com.
The Pelicans’ increased offensive pace also suits Ball’s athletic game. In his best game for New Orleans Sunday, Ball scored 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a win over the Rockets. Ball’s point tally included connecting on a career-high seven triples.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry appreciated the team’s speed and floor spacing. “I thought our guys did a great job of creating space and just running into space,” Gentry said. “By doing that, I thought we had open shots. That’s the way we have to try to play.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division.
- The Athletic’s Sam Amick spoke with new Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis about his adjustment to supporting Luka Doncic in Dallas. Porzingis is averaging 17.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 2.1 BPG. “In the very beginning of the season, it was a little bit frustrating for me because it’s a new system,” Porzingis told Amick. “[Doncic is] starting to read the game more when maybe I need to get a touch, when to run a play for me or somebody else on the team. And I feel like that connection is getting better.”
- Rockets center Clint Capela returned to the hardwood for Houston on Tuesday after missing two games with a bruised right heel. The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen reports that Capela acknowledged he is still playing through pain stemming from the injury.
- The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears spoke with Grizzlies forward Josh Jackson, currently logging time with Memphis’ G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. “The last time I had fun like this was maybe AAU,” Jackson, taken No. 4 in the 2017 draft by the Suns, told Spears. “Don’t feel bad for me. It’s an opportunity. I am just thankful I get to play basketball.” Jackson is averaging 20.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.3 APG and 2.6 made triples through 18 Hustle bouts.
Lonzo Ball has his best game of the season playing against a Rockets team missing Harden, Westbrook, and Capela. Wow, what a coincidence.
So he had to play real basketball players instead. #rocketsareajoke
Porzingis does not sound happy.
He and Doncic are very close. It’s hard to go from being the best player on your team to the second best. After this summer I expect he’ll be the 3rd best.
Just the opposite. I see how you can get that thought from this brief callout. But if you listen to all of KP’s interviews he is hyper critical and honest about himself. He also repeatedly mentions how great the system is and how he fits into it. The guy wants to win and maximize his teammates. Speaks very highly of Luka and how they are learning to feed off each other
When Luka was out KP stepped up big time. Now KP and Hardaway are both out and you see Curry stepping up along with the Mavs big men. The Mavs system creates so much space and open shots that it’s so crazy fun to watch. The players have all bought in and that’s why you see a different player score 20+ points every night. It’s taking advantage of the matchup and it all starts with Luka. Crazy thing is once Luka & KP really gel this team will be great to watch for years to come
i agree. been a mavs fan since the start of the 06 playoffs when they swept the Grizzles in 1st round. i havent been this excited about the Mavs in awhile. i think they need to trade Dwight powell and get a better ball handler than brunson. brunson could just be going thorugh a somphmore slump