New Orleans Pelicans defense ends biggest comeback in franchise history with win over Boston Celtics

NEW ORLEANS – After a historic meltdown on Friday night, things once again seemed to be going in the wrong direction for the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday afternoon.

The Pelicans watched the Boston Celtics increase their lead to 24 points midway through the third quarter, and it looked like the Pelicans were on their way to another disappointing loss.

But instead of bending and fading like they’ve done multiple times this season, New Orleans has responded.

And he did it using something that has been porous for much of the season – his defense.

From the 6:29 mark of the third quarter to the end of overtime, New Orleans kept Boston to just 36 points on 32 percent shots as the Pelicans came back strong to complete the biggest comeback in history. the franchise in a 120-115 win.

“It was a big win for us. We stayed true to who we were,” said Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. “We came together. Everyone, the coaches, the players, the ball players, everyone was just engaged. We needed all that energy and we got it done.”

This energy level was – perhaps – in a low season on Friday. The Pelicans were 11 points ahead in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns and were down 18 points. According to Elias’ sports office, this was the biggest loss in the stopwatch era for a team that entered the fourth quarter in double digits.

While their defense failed them at the time, it’s something the Pelicans were able to rely heavily on against Boston, led by guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.

“J-Hart and I are supposed to keep the other team’s stars pretty much night after night,” Ball said. “We just did our best to slow these guys down as best we could. It’s not just two guys keeping the ball, though. We all came together on this side of the ball.”

And as the charge was led by the defense, the Pelicans also had to look to their two all-star players to finish things off on the offensive side. With the Celtics ahead 106-105 with 10.5 seconds left, the Pelicans had to prepare a game to take the lead. Two games after Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy chose to let Brandon Ingram get the ball on final possession in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, it went to Williamson this time around. Williamson caught the ball on an Ingram screen and faked a transfer to Ball. He took it straight from Tristan Thompson, drawing the foul as the layup entered.

“It means a lot to me,” Williamson said of the handing over at the time. “That’s what every player works hard to be in these times. … [Assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon] especially. When she saw I was frustrated in the first half and came to see myself and gave me a lot of words about confidence. It means a lot.

“They all look at me right now like, ‘We’re with you. Whatever decision you make, we are with you. ‘ Having people behind me like that means a lot. “

Williamson said Ingram was the last person to say something to him on leaving the clique before the play, but Ingram did his best to downplay his role.

“I don’t think he needs any extra encouragement,” Ingram said. “He made a basketball game that we believe in, and he got the shot.”

Further encouragement or not, it worked. But the job wasn’t done for New Orleans, as Celtics forward Jayson Tatum made a bucket to send the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, this time it was time for Ingram to shine.

With the game tied at 112 with 50.1 to go, Pelicans forward Nicolo Melli and Celtics center Daniel Theis were called up for a double-lane violation on Ingram’s free throw attempt. It meant a ball in the center of the circle between Williamson and Celtics forward Robert Williams.

Williamson won the tip and eventually got the ball back on top of the key. As he was driving, the defense collapsed and Williamson threw the ball to Ingram, who knocked down a 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left.

“Whenever I’m in the pick-and-roll as a ball manager, I try to do the best read,” Williamson said. “I think in this situation, after going to the basket a few times, I read that they were going to collapse. As soon as they collapse, Brandon is a shooter to die for. He was there, so I made the pass. ‘saw everything, it is built for these moments. “

The victory came at a much-needed time for New Orleans, which had lost five of six games.

Ingram said the comeback itself was what encouraged him the most and that the Pelicans could use something to get their season back on track.

“I think we can take away that we’re really, really good when we stick together,” Ingram said. “The guys were talking tonight. Everyone on the bench was talking. The coaches were communicating with the players, and we got a good response.”