The New Orleans Pelicans secured a 112-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday. This win marks the third time the Pelicans have triumphed over the Clippers in their four meetings during the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
Zion “Zanos” Williamson was the powerhouse behind the Pelicans’ success, dominating the paint with his explosive drives to the rim. He shot an impressive 14-for-21 from the field—all within the paint—and was flawless in the third quarter, sinking all seven of his shots. Williamson finished the game with a court-high 34 points, grabbed a game-high four offensive rebounds, and made frequent trips to the free-throw line, although he missed four of his ten attempts.
The Clippers anticipated Williamson’s impact and adapted their lineup accordingly. Centers Ivica Zubac, Mason Plumlee, and Daniel Theis combined for 46 minutes of play. Additionally, P.J. Tucker, who had been out of the regular rotation for three months, logged over 24 minutes on the court. Despite these strategic adjustments aimed at containing Williamson, the Clippers struggled to suppress the Pelicans’ offensive momentum.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on March 15: Pelicans' 'Zanos' destroys Clippers
cgtn.com
