Wasn't exactly pretty but a win is a win!
Richaun Holmes (B-) - 32 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 blocks, 0 steals, 1 turnovers
In terms of matchups against Jonas, at least Richaun got his own this time around. Holmes had an insanely efficient offensive night, dropping 21 points on just eight shot attempts. Unfortunately, Holmes got destroyed on the glass for most of the game, winding up with a paltry 6 rebounds in 32 minutes. Still, considering the issues he's had with Valanciunas in the past, this was an improvement.
Maurice Harkless (C) - 24 minutes, 0 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 block, 0 steals, 0 turnovers
Another ho-hum zero point performance from Moe. While I appreciate him not taking any bad shots, you'd hope that you'd get more than nothing from your starting small forward, regardless of his contributions on defense and role player-ness. That said, he wasn't unplayable and did contribute to strong defensive play throughout the night.
Harrison Barnes (B) - 37 minutes, 18 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals, 1 turnovers
Only eighteen points tonight for Barnes (his first time under 20 this season) but another strong game from the Kings' bedrock solid forward. One of the main questions about permanently moving Barnes to the 4 was whether he could rebound well enough for the position, something he has answered to the tune of double-digit boards thus far in the season. Was almost unselfish to a fault but, on a night where the Pelicans seemingly were seeing a team run pick and rolls for the first time in their lives, that didn't kill us.
Tyrese Haliburton (B+) - 31 minutes, 17 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 blocks, 0 steals, 2 turnovers
The best game of Tyrese's young season ends in a near double-double. Haliburton is still continuing to refuse to take outside shots and passing up catch-and-shoot opportunities at an alarming rate but tonight his mastery of the pick and roll two-man game shone through above all else. Had a fairly strong defensive game as well, though it was hard to tell because the Pelicans seemed to not be running much of an offense in general.
De'Aaron Fox (C+) - 37 minutes, 23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 block, 0 steals, 4 turnovers
The stats may not necessarily bear this out and the man had a couple of bad possessions to close the game out but I thought Fox looked much better in this game than in every game after the Blazers game. Played within himself and the offense. His outside shot isn't falling right now and he's forcing more threes than he should probably take as a result but his mid-range stuff seemed to be falling tonight. This season, Luke is using Fox offball as a two-guard more than as a main facilitator point guard and it feels as though it's thrown the guard for a loop. Still, if a guy's 'bad' game is still a 20-5-5 night, you're not in terrible shape.
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Buddy Hield (B) - 30 minutes, 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists, 0 blocks, 2 steals, 2 turnovers
The Buddy Hield Sixth Man of the Year campaign rolls on, with another 20 point night in the book. It should be noted that Buddy's made a conceited effort on the defensive end this season, though he still remains one of the worst off-ball defenders I have ever seen. Also the Pelicans' announcers were drooling over him sooooooo trade?
Alex Len (B) - 16 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 blocks, 0 steals, 3 turnovers
Len appears to have completely supplanted Tristan Thompson as our backup big and it is working big time. The man is big and knows how to use his considerable size to free up space for his teammates both on offense and on defense. Also provides a strong interior presence on defense in drop that this team has been lacking for... ten years or so? Had some mess turnovers and got into foul trouble battling with Jonas but 4/4/2 from your backup big in 16 minutes is not going to ruin your night.
Davion Mitchell (C+) - 29 minutes, 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assists, 0 blocks, 2 steals, 1 turnovers
Just another solid night by Off-Night. Got got HARD by a Graham pump fake to end the first quarter but aside from that was mostly himself on defense. Teams are already starting to gameplan for Davion's tight man defense and setting screen after screen to get him switched off of his man. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts as the season grinds on. On offense. Davion had a couple of nifty moves showcasing his quickness but is still having issues with his shot. It'll fall eventually but until then I have no issue with him playing the role that he is.
Terence Davis (inc.) - 4 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals, 0 turnovers
Came in in the second quarter. Looked bad. Never came in again.
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