The New Orleans Pelicans secured a thrilling 112-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Friday. This win marks the Pelicans' third triumph in their four regular-season meetings against the Clippers in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Zion "Zanos" Williamson was the standout star of the night, showcasing his immense talent and sheer dominance in the paint. Williamson was unstoppable, making 14 of his 21 field goal attempts, all within the paint area. His performance peaked in the third quarter, where he sank all seven of his shots, amassing a game-high 34 points.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Williamson led the Pelicans with four offensive rebounds and made 6 out of 10 free throw attempts, more than any other player on the court. His aggressive playstyle and ability to charge the rim proved too much for the Clippers to handle.
The Clippers were prepared to counter Williamson's impact by leveraging their three centers: Ivica Zubac, Mason Plumlee, and Daniel Theis, who collectively played 46 minutes in an effort to shield against his attacks. Despite their strategy, the Clippers struggled to contain Williamson's energy and effectiveness throughout the game.
P. J. Tucker, who had been sidelined from regular rotations for the past three months, made a significant return, logging over 24 minutes on the court against the Pelicans. Tucker's presence was intended to bolster the Clippers' defense, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pelicans' offensive onslaught.
The Pelicans' consistent performance against the Clippers this season highlights their growing synergy and determination to dominate their conference rivals.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on March 15: Pelicans' 'Zanos' destroys Clippers
cgtn.com
