The Pelicans beat the Spurs 113-103 and will compete with the Clippers for tickets to eighth place in the West. Ingram's talent, Varan's interior advantage, Herb Jones' defense, Alvarado's miracle role, behind all four excellent performances, the person who really cobbled the Pelicans together - CJ McCollum, this game, he played three "major" roles.
CJ led the Pelicans to a win over the Spurs with 32 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists
One, the perfect two bosses.
After 6 years with Lillard (removing the 2-year rookie adaptation period), CJ knows too well how to be a good second-in-command, taking this game as an example:
Ingram breaks through the heavy buckle
Ingram is the leader of the Pelicans, so the first quarter of the game, when Ingram was on the floor, CJ was a green leaf, playing an offensive lead on the outside, leading the whole team to deliver all the offensive rights to Ingram, who directly entered the attack mode with 11 points in 4 quarters of 9, note that CJ only shot 3 times and 2 goals; Ingram needed CJ to lead the second team at the break, and after the important debut, he made a foul penalty and contributed 4 points, and the Pelicans ended the first quarter 26-22. 3 in CJ5 contributed 8 points, green leaves!
Second, score explosive power.
For 6 consecutive seasons of 20+, CJ has excellent scoring explosive power, which is also the capital he can take on as the second boss, so when Ingram needed more rest due to injury in the second quarter, CJ's performance was as follows:
CJ made a strong layup
Three consecutive mid-range, one-on-one three-pointers from the outside, breaking through with the ball, receiving Alvarado's return pass to chase down the three points, with the final attack as shown in the picture, the basket was won again, this quarter, CJ one-man 7-of-7 19 points strong burst, the Pelicans half 61-50 to establish a double-digit advantage key.
Third, the Pelicans' urgent shortage of veteran experience.
Bobo boss faced CJ 12 of 10 in the first half, and in the second half he directly used a pinch defense to entertain, so that CJ only contributed 5 points in 2 of 11 shots in the entire second half, no way, this is CJ's ability, as a player with mediocre talent, he can become a good second boss by relying on unremitting efforts, but he cannot become a real superstar, but as a veteran who has played in the league for 9 years, he has a wealth of experience, and this is a valuable asset that the young Pelicans are short of.
CJ assisted Varan in a mid-range throw
In the third quarter, the Spurs used a pinch defense to contain his personal offense, CJ as shown in the picture, with excellent passing ability to continuously deliver shells to Valanciunas (3 times), in the first half of only 1 assist, CJ this quarter 4 assists, Varan single quarter 12 points strong explosion, the Pelicans once led by 21 points one of the key factors.
CJ protects rebounds
In the final quarter, when the Spurs' improved defense allowed CJ to achieve only 2 assists, don't worry, he has a third way to help the team, as shown in the picture, this quarter, CJ protected the next 4 rebounds to the team to continue to help the team.
At this point, we look at CJ's role for the Pelicans, he not only contributed 32 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, but more importantly, he is indie most desired by Ingram, and has excellent scoring explosiveness and veteran experience, the above three roles, is that the Pelicans can go from the middle of the season without playoff hopes, to now be able to beat the Spurs, will compete with the Clippers for the last Western Conference playoff ticket one of the key factors.