The Pelicans spoil the best game of Sidi Sissoko’s career

With only 10 players in uniform, and none of their usual back three, the Blazers arc 143-120 on the floor of Pelicansboosted by the return of Jordan Poole (22 points). This is only the 2nd victory of the Pelicans under the leadership of James Borrego, and the 1st in eight matches.

A logical success since the Pelicans got their hands on the opening meeting with starters Jeremy Fiers and Derrick Quinn. Portland’s defense explodes on the second curtain, and easy baskets are lined up one after the other (14-6). Shaedon Sharpe and Danny Avdija resist, and Sidi Cissoko certainly stands out. The Frenchman was released, and even Ryan Rupert helped him. The Blazers are holding on (32-30), but Jordan Poole’s entry is going well for the Pelicans, who are leading 39-30 after twelve minutes.

Rupert hits a 3-pointer for the 2nd quarter, but Poole has ants in his legs. Faced with the opponent’s “second unit”, he walks, and the gap stabilizes (47-38). “French Touch” did better than resisted, and the duo Rupert-Cissoko put the Blazers back in touch (49-46). It’s unbridled basketball and it benefits Portland, who takes control (62-60) thanks to the inevitable Cissoko. On the Pelicans side, it was Fears who responded and put the Pelicans back in control at halftime (70-68), despite Herb Jones’ ejection.

Boulevards in snowshoes

Back from the locker room, change of scenario with the beginning of the fight for 3 points. Both teams leave their rackets and hit from a distance. Both teams are looking for a knockout, and the Sharp-Avdia tandem is matched by Bryce McGowens and Sadiq Bey. In the end, it is Cissoko who changes everything. The French connects two dunks, serves Avdi well and returns the lead to the Blazers (89-88). But the Pelicans remember that there is a boulevard in the opponent’s racket, and Yves Missy and Pool punish the Blazers to regain control (105-97).

Cissoko messes up, and while Avdia rests, the Pelicans take the opportunity to extend the gap. The queen dunks, Poole hits near the circle, and Portland shoots (119-105). All that remains is to fight with this lead, and McGowens is better than that as he gives a 22-point lead in two minutes! With six minutes left in the game, the Blazers have completely collapsed. To the point that Tiago Splitter started “garbage” five minutes from the end, and New Orleans won 143-120.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

La “french touch”. In the first quarter, Sidi Sissoko kept Portland afloat with 8 quick points. The Frenchman on a “two-way contract” had a career-best 20 points on 8/12 shooting, including 3/6 on 3-pointers. His compatriot Ryan Rupert followed that up in the second quarter with 12 points in one half (5/6 shooting) and finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Wide open racket. Portland players conceded 88 points and lost the rebound battle (64-56). The Pelicans increased penetration and shots near the circle: 78 of New Orleans’ 112 attempts were made in the finish!

First for Jones. At the very end of the first half, Herb Jones received two technical fouls for a foul, synonymous with being sent to the locker room. This is his first dismissal in his career.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.