Here are the scores, updates, and results of the NBA 2020-2021 Preseason match between the Toronto Raptors (TOR) and the New Orleans Pelicans (NOP) on December 24, 2020, at the Amalie Arena.
New Orleans Pelicans’ JJ Redick and Brandon Ingram scored 47 points collectively to dealt the home team, Toronto Raptors, a 113-99 defeat to start their NBA campaign on Wednesday (PH time).
With just over a minute remaining in the ball game, Redick converted a four-point play and finished with 23 points. Ingram, on the other hand, led all scorers with 24 points.
“He’s (Redick) good to have around from a professionalism standpoint, so we like to have him around. We love that he can shoot the basketball, and when he’s open, he needs the basketball,” said Ingram.
For his part, Zion Williamson had a big second half for New Orleans and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, playing for the first time with the Pelicans, Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams scored 18 and 16 points, apiece, in their first games with the Pelicans, who delivered new coach Stan Van Gundy a victory in his New Orleans debut.
The Pelicans, who are currently being coached by Stan Van Gundy, rallied from an 11-point deficit to seal the match in their favor.
“I’d say that we fought very hard in a game that was very, very frustrating,” Van Gundy said.
“We were turning the ball over, we were in foul trouble, not a lot was going right for us. We hung in there and kept fighting and then made enough plays and enough shots to pull away,” added Van Gundy.
Zion Williamson had a big second half for the Pelicans and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first NBA regular-season game with the Pelicans, Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams scored 18 and 16 points, apiece.
In a losing effort, Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry scored 20 and 18 points, respectively, with the latter tallying 10 assists under his name.
Lowry, in the second quarter, hit four 3-pointers. Siakam had a hot hand as well, making consecutive 3-pointers that resulted in a momentary 11 point lead.
“(The third quarter)… zapped our energy pretty big time. We did seem to lose a little energy and maybe ran out of a little gas, too,” said Toronto coach Nick Nurse.
Toronto vs New Orleans
Quarters: 23-26; 50-57; 88-79; 113-99
The scores:
Raptors (99) – Pascal Siakam 20, Kyle Lowry 18, Norman Powell 12, Chris Boucher 12, Aaron Baynes 11, Fred VanVleet 9, Matt Thomas 9, OG Anunoby 8, DeAndre’ Bembry 0, Terence Davis 0, Malachi Flynn 0, Stanley Johnson 0.
Pelicans (113) – Brandon Ingram 24, JJ Redick 23, Eric Bledsoe 18, Lonzo Ball 16, Zion Williamson 15, Steven Adams 8, Josh Hart 6, Nickeil Alexander-Walker 3, Nicolo Melli 0, Jaxson Hayes 0.