The Los Angeles Clippers returned to the court after a two-day break and did so with a 111-106 home win over a diminished New Orleans Pelicans.
It was a good night for the two superstars of the Los Angeles franchise. Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and had six rebounds and nine assists, while Paul George finished with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists.
“Being a unit, working as a team, stopping on defense, knowing who each of us is marking, that’s what (the growth of the group) boils down to,” Leonard said after the victory. “We are trying to build habits as a team.”
The Pelicans suffered the casualties of three starting elements, Zion Williamson for an inconclusive COVID-19 test, Lonzo Ball for a knee injury and Eric Bledsoe for a right eye irritation.
Given the absences, Nickeil Alexander-Walker had the best night of his career. The 22-year-old had 37 points in his first game as a starter for New Orleans. Walker had not had a 37-point performance in his career as a basketball player, even in college, and his performance was key to keeping the Pelicans in the fight despite absences.
“Walker really kept them in the game. He made 3-pointers, hooks, he practically achieved everything he wanted in the game, “said Tyronn Lue, Clippers coach.
The Angelina quintenta dominated the game from start to finish. Only in the second quarter did they beat the Pelicans 33-15 to go into halftime with an 18-point lead.
The closest the Pelicans got on the scoreboard was when they cut the gap to four points in the fourth quarter, yet Kawhi and George rallied again to hold off New Orleans and secure the win.
“We must improve, especially in the third and fourth quarters, because we started well in the first and second quarters, but we have to clean up and make that happen towards the end of the game. We will be polishing that and it will come, ”said George.
The Clippers, who will travel to the California capital to face the Sacramento Kings, improved to 8-4 and remain in second place in the Western Conference behind their neighbors, the Los Angeles Lakers.
For their part, the Pelicans will remain in Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday.
If all goes well with the tests, New Orleans hopes to have Zion back.
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