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At 8-2, they are tied with the Boston Celtics for the best
record over the last 10 games -- even though the Pelicans have
played without multiple starters for most of that time.
They will be without second-leading scorer Brandon Ingram (toe)
for a fifth consecutive game and fellow starter Herbert Jones
Jr. (ankle) will be doubtful when they host the Detroit Pistons
on Wednesday night.
CJ McCollum returned to the lineup from the health and safety
protocols right after Jones was injured.
"We have a lot of depth," said forward Zion Williamson, who has
led the Pelicans' surge to second place in the Western
Conference standings. "I say it a lot, and I don't just say it
because they are my teammates; I say it because I mean it. This
is a special team."
Williamson cited the fact that backup center Willy Hernangomez
was the MVP in the Euro League but is averaging just 9.9 minutes
with New Orleans.
"He understands the name of the game and that we have a deep
team," Williamson said. "Whenever his number is called, he steps
up."
Another prime example of the team's depth is guard Jose
Alvarado, who joined the team as a rookie undrafted free agent
before last season and has become a key contributor off the
bench. He scored a career-high 38 points and made a career-high
eight 3-pointers in a 121-106 win over visiting Denver on
Sunday.
Alvarado has been taking advantage of scoring opportunities that
arise because of the attention defenses have to pay to
Williamson, who is averaging 23.6 points after missing all of
last season because of foot surgery.
The Pistons began a three-game trip with a 116-96 victory at
Miami on Tuesday night. It was their second victory in six
games.
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 of his 31 points in the second half
as the Pistons pulled away to their largest margin of victory
this season. Their 14-point victory against Golden State on Oct.
30 was their only other victory by more than seven points.
"Second half, we wanted to play faster and move the ball a
little bit," Bogdanovic said. "I hit a couple 3s and everything
opened up."
Alec Burks added 18 points (12 in the second half), Saddiq Bey
scored 14, Isaiah Stewart had 11 points and 11 rebounds, Cory
Joseph scored 11 and Jaden Ivey 10.
"It's a huge team win," Bogdanovic said. "We held a great
offensive team under 100 points."
Detroit, which entered the game allowing the second-most points
in the league (118.2), improved to 4-3 when holding its opponent
to 109 or fewer points. The Pistons are 3-16 when they allow 110
or more.
That statistic will be put to the test against the Pelicans, who
have scored at least 110 points in eight of their last 10 games.
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' second-leading scorer, has missed
the last 14 games because of a shin injury.
--Field Level Media
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