Clutch plays from Ingram, Bledsoe help Pelicans improve to 4-2

The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to radically alter their identity.

Last season, the solution to their problems was to permanently push the pace. They wanted to play uptempo all the time. This season, they still want to rack up fast-break points, but their primary goal is to control the paint.

“We just have to hang our hat playing physical basketball,” point guard Lonzo Ball said. “We want to control the paint on both sides, offense and defense. That’s what we’re deciding to do. That’s what we want to do. And that’s what we’ve bought into.”

Early in the season, the Pelicans have mostly been able to do that. On Saturday, they beat the Raptors 120-116 at Smoothie King Center. They had shaky moments on both ends of the floor, but they were still able to complete a regular-season sweep of Toronto.

New Orleans, which began a four-game homestand on a positive note, fended off a late run from Toronto to improve to 4-2. It shot 42.2% from the field but got to the free-throw line 47 times, a franchise record for a non-overtime game, in what was an especially physical contest.

“It was one of those things,” said Steven Adams, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds. “We were trying to attack downhill mostly. We made a lot of contact. That’s how we want to play: physical. It’s good the boys were up to it. It’s just good to see the boys try to finish through there. You know?”

The Pelicans led by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. They briefly squandered the lead before tying the game at 113 on a pair of Ingram free throws. They forced the Raptors into a turnover and then Eric Bledsoe hit a 3 from the left wing to push New Orleans’ lead to three with 41.6 seconds remaining.

Brandon Ingram (31 points) carried the load offensively, while Zion Williamson (21 points) found his rhythm in the second half by repeatedly attacking the basket. Ingram hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining to push New Orleans’ lead to four and put the game out of reach. Ingram shot 11 of 14 on free throws. Williamson went 7 of 10 there. 

The Pelicans trailed 60-55 at halftime. They had trouble corralling Fred VanVleet, who scored 27 points. But in the third quarter, their defense tightened up. They outscored the Raptors 32-22 in the third quarter.

“I thought overall it was our worst defensive game of the year,” Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We didn’t do a great job getting back. We didn’t do a great job keeping the ball out of the paint. But down the stretch, we played good defense. We made tough shots. We did a good job down the stretch. When we needed it, we got it.”

Bledsoe, who made two crucial plays to end the third quarter, had another impressive outing. First, he blocked Toronto’s fast-break layup attempt. Then as time expired in the quarter, he hit a step-back 3 that gave New Orleans a five-point advantage heading into the fourth.

Bledsoe scored 19 points and handed out 10 assists. He connected on four 3-pointers, the most crucial of which broke a 113 tie. His shot making and setup ability helped New Orleans win despite another lackluster bench performance.

“Just trying to play my game,” Bledsoe said. “Just go out there and play my game and help this team win. That’s the biggest thing. Whatever I can do to help this team win, I’m going to do.”

At halftime, the Pelicans’ bench combined to score five points. Toronto’s reserves outscored New Orleans’ 38-23. The Pelicans won anyway.

The Pelicans are 4-2 for the first time since 2018-19. That year, their promising start quickly went sideways. This season, the Pelicans are hoping it is the start of something good.

“The thing I like the best — there’s still a lot to work on obviously — but it’s their resiliency,” Van Gundy said.