LAS VEGAS – Not even a 72-hour break between games could slow down New Orleans’ fast-breaking summer league squad. After last playing Monday afternoon and beating Brooklyn, the Pelicans weren’t on the schedule again until Thursday evening, but quickly unleashed their up-tempo attack on the Wizards, scoring often and easily en route to a fourth win in four Vegas games.
New Orleans made a “coaching change,” with Robert Pack taking over as the head coach for Darren Erman (10-0), but the same Pelicans offensive effectiveness was on display again. NOLA has scored at least 89 points in every game it has played in the desert, including 101 in its opener last week vs. Milwaukee.
New Orleans won a tournament game for the first time in the format’s three-year existence, advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals vs. Golden State (NBA TV, tip-off time TBA).
The Pelicans used a balanced attack, with five players in double-digit scoring and three others supplying five points or more. It was a virtual carbon copy of their three previous victories in Nevada, with points coming in bunches and an up-tempo pace leading to countless breakaway scores.
“The whole team collectively is playing the right way, sharing the ball, executing on both ends of the floor,” said Pack, who became summer head coach at the midpoint of the league as part of a pre-planned arrangement. “Guys have been playing with a lot of energy, both in practice and in games. We had an energetic practice (Wednesday), because we had a day off (Tuesday), and I think it carried right over into the game today. We wanted to come out and establish the flow defensively, and we were into guys, turned them over. That really got us rolling.”
Washington committed 19 turnovers, which led to 22 New Orleans points for an offense that didn’t need much help.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Fuquan Edwin (12 points in 22 minutes off the bench) sank a three-pointer from the left corner, giving New Orleans a 93-77 lead with just under two minutes left. Despite holding a commanding advantage on the scoreboard, the Pelicans didn’t ease up, continuing to attack the Wizards from all angles.
TURNING POINT
After going up 25-18 through a quarter, the Pelicans put the clamps down on the Wizards and started generating fast breaks, building a lead of as many as 19 points prior to halftime.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Seth Curry’s older brother Stephen won the MVP award of the NBA in 2014-15. Could Seth emerge as the MVP of summer league in Vegas? It seems very possible after another big scoring performance from the Duke product, who has appeared in a total of just four regular season NBA games. Curry poured in 26 points, feasting on deep bank shots from the wing, shooting 12-for-21 on field goals.
“We keep it simple,” Curry said afterward. “We play good defense and get out and run. It’s a fun way to play. We’re playing hard defense, getting out in transition. On offense, the court is spread and there is room to make plays.”
Curry entered Thursday as the leading scorer in Las Vegas by a three-point margin and added to his average with the 26-point display. Curry is now averaging 25.3 points over his four summer games, topped by 30 vs. Milwaukee. He’s scored 20-plus every time.
#TAKEFLIGHT QUESTION OF THE GAME
Which summer Pelicans have you been most intrigued by in terms of their NBA potential?
From @NOLASportsHype: Curry easily. Has absolute Star potential.
From @SteadyLosing: Larry Drew II has been the steadiest.
From @Emmet504: Curry, Drew and Edwin (in that order)...would love to have 2 of them fill out the last bench spots
From @pumpkinspiceson: Curry with his Tim Duncan impersonation.