Hawks (4-2), Pelicans (1-4)
ATLANTA – One team trotted out a starting lineup Tuesday that is exactly what it will use next week when the regular season begins. By necessity, the other squad relied on a combination of players who’ll likely fill a wide array of roles in 2016-17. Behind many familiar faces and names, Atlanta rolled to a lead of 20-plus points in the first half and eventually posted a win over New Orleans, which was playing without Anthony Davis and several other prominent contributors. In addition to multi-year Hawks veterans such as Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver, they leaned on new starting center Dwight Howard and point guard Dennis Schroder. The Pelicans essentially only had one starter Tuesday (Solomon Hill) who seems guaranteed to be a first-stringer in Game 1 of the regular season. In addition to the players they were without, New Orleans also did not have head coach Alvin Gentry (stomach illness). The team’s associate head coach, Darren Erman, filled in for Gentry.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Atlanta rookie Taurean Prince blocked a wing three-point attempt by fellow first-year pro Buddy Hield, keeping the Hawks in front 93-85 with about 1:30 remaining. Hawks deep reserve Edy Taveras then dropped in a short hook at the other end, to give the hosts a 10-point edge. New Orleans threatened the lead a bit in the fourth quarter with a big surge but couldn’t quite close the gap.
PELICANS PLAYER UPDATES
Playing in a game for the first time in exactly two weeks, forward Terrence Jones was one bright spot for the Pelicans, again showing off his versatile game. In all three of his preseason appearances, the Kentucky product has been a presence at both ends of the floor. Jones has proven to be a challenging matchup for defenses, able to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop, as well as shoot open three-pointers (2/5). Jones tallied a team-high 18 points, including nine in each half. …
Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik are battling for the starting center spot, but Tuesday’s game didn’t provide either with an optimum chance to improve their case. Ajinca and Asik were each whistled for three fouls in the first half, forcing Pelicans including Jones to slide over and defend Howard in the paint. Asik did throw down three dunks, among his eight points. ...
Hill checked off a bunch of boxes, with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Like his team, he was quiet in the first half but scored eight points in the second half.
QUOTES TO NOTE
“I thought we did a better job in the second half. Defensively (the Hawks) felt us and we pressured them. In the first half, I thought a lot of the turnovers and fouls hurt us.” – Erman on the Pelicans winning the second half 48-37
“Buddy had some struggles, but he kept fighting and playing hard and made some big shots for us, to get us back in the game. That was a great learning experience. His energy, enthusiasm, those things are contagious. He’s going to be a really good player for us.” – Erman on Hield starting slowly, like his team, but responding later
“Less turnovers, harder defense, more fast-break opportunities. I think that was it.” – Hill on what the Pelicans improved as Tuesday’s game progressed
BY THE NUMBERS
11: First-half turnovers by New Orleans, leading to 14 Atlanta points. The Pelicans totaled 17 miscues.
50.0: Atlanta field-goal percentage in the first half. The Hawks held the Pelicans to just 34.8 percent, resulting in a 59-41 margin on the scoreboard.