On March 21, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game that ended earlier today, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-112 away. The Pelicans still have a number of players out this game, including Ingram, Williamson, Graham and other players. Although the team's lineup is not neat, it is good that other players have stepped forward, and in today's game they have a total of six players in the team scoring in double figures.
Pelicans core center Jonas Valanciunas played well. He played 33 minutes and shot 10-of-16, including 1-of-2 from three-point range, and cut down 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. In today's game, Valanciunas showed a very comprehensive offensive approach, he can not only play inside singles, but also hit long-range shots.
So far in the regular season this season, Valanciunas' performance has been remarkable. He averaged 30.6 minutes per game and could have 18.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks. He shot 53.9 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range.
And the Pelicans were able to win today's game, and the play of two of the bench players was crucial. Hernangomez played just 14 minutes and shot 5-of-12 from the field for a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Alvarado played 23 minutes, shooting 5-of-9, including 1-of-3 from three-point range, and had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
After winning today's game, the Pelicans' current record has come to 30-41 and ranks ninth in the West. Like the Lakers in the tenth place in the West, they are 2.5 wins ahead of the Spurs in the eleventh place in the West. If they can maintain this momentum, there is still a good chance that they will be able to reach this year's playoffs.