NBA Talk #255: Defending Champ Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans!

What's up basketball fans! I am here again @dwin0603 to give you another exciting basketball discussion for another episode of NBA Talk, and today we will have some NBA recap for the 2019-2020 season. Let's start!

It's opening night and we know that you are all excited just like us. The first game is, of course, the defending champs Toronto Raptors taking on the new-look New Orleans Pelicans. And before the games, of course, we start the night with the awarding ceremony of the 2019 NBA Champ giving them their championship rings. Well-deserved for these guys but this season will be different for them because there will be no Kawhi Leonard as he goes West to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

On the other side, we have the New Orleans Pelicans looking pretty fresh with their young core after acquiring Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart from the Los Angeles Lakers. But there’s some bad news for the Pelicans to start the season as they missed the sensational 1st overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft Zion Williamson due to a knee injury. Zion will probably miss 6 to 8 weeks according to reports. Alright, let’s get right into the recap.

The Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 130-122 in overtime. While Zion Williamson is out, we expect Brandon Ingram to step up and carry the scoring loads. He will surely be the main option offensively and he delivers putting up 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists

New Orleans had a great start putting up a double-digit lead in the first period but Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby keep the Raptors alive. At the start of the second period, the Pelicans still on top by double digits but the Raptors cuts the deficit to two until JJ Reddick hits a three to close the first half with a 5-point lead. Toronto took the lead in the third period and the game was close up to the final quarter. The Raptors needed 5 more minutes to close out the game as Fred Van Vleet explodes for 34 points including clutch buckets that seal the game. Siakam also had 34 points with 18 rebounds.

Takeaways

Bright Future for the Pelicans

The Pelicans really had a great game even without Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram had a solid performance and the improvement in Lonzo Ball’s game was there. We saw him knocking down some threes with his new shooting form while also dishing out some pretty nice assists. Josh Hart was also impressive with his double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while JJ Redick hits 4 threes finishing with 16 points. What I want to see from the Pelicans is more minutes for Jahlil Okafor. And Nicolo Melli was a great pick up by the Pelicans. He added 14 points and he’s very efficient when he is on the floor.

The Raptors are Fine without Kawhi Leonard

Yes, Leonard is gone but the Raptors are still a team to beat in the Eastern Conference. They have the experience and they play together as a team. OG Anunoby is also back. He will not be able to contribute the way Kawhi contributes but he's still a huge addition for the team this season

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