Jayson Tatum was fist-pumping in celebration much of the night
While the New Orleans Pelicans handled the [b[Toronto Raptors[/b] with ease in the season opener, 95-79, that was Anfernee Simons and a Karl-Anthony Towns ago, and in the Big Easy to boot. This time, it was on the road, Simons watching from the stands as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers when their game was to take place the next night, and KAT watching from the bench, dressed but not expected to partake (which he would not). How would this new look, with Jayson Tatum at SF and Olivier-Maxence Prosper pressed into starting duties fare while KAT and Asbjorn Midtgaard (also watching from the stands), waited to swap teams after the game the next night?
As it turns out, even better.
In a 99-81 romp that never had the Pelicans look like they were losing, Jayson Tatum sparkled in his dark blue and gold debut, hitting 12/20, 3/7, 5/7 for 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in taking home Player of the Game honors. It was a rough night for the hosts, watching New Orleans suddenly turn into a 3 point bomber squad. In fact the Pelicans' 17 made 3-pointers equaled Toronto's total 3 point attempts, just 4 of which fell in for the Raptors.
Tyrese Maxey flashed 3 point signs all game long
As one might expect, the most devastating distance gunner was Tyrese Maxey, who rattled in 7 of 12 behind the arc tries on his way to 25 points and, of all things, a block., outpointing old Jestor favorite Hamidou Diallo, who had no real support despite shooting an excellent 11/19 with 3 steals in a rare gem of an outing in what has been a rough, rough season for him.
But the biggest excitement may have been reserved for...
Cedric Henderson Jr. quite simply couldn't miss, flipping his own repeat 3 sign
...Cedric Henderson Jr, who set a personal career best in scoring 17 points in 18 minutes on 6/7, 5/5 from the arc shooting with 4 rebounds. Tipped by some to be a potential breakout player who is better than anticipated this season (which has never happened to a Jestor draftee), his scoring was the literal margin of victory for New Orleans.
"It's such a great feeling, man," said CHJ in the postgame press conference. "And I think somebody said we're in the last play-in spot right now. Gonna be tough to keep it, you know, cuz the West ain't no joke, and a lot of people think we ain't gonna score enough, but you know, we'll see. We'll see how it goes."
The victory was just the second win this season for the Pelicans away for home, and they are indeed now a half-game in front of the Utah Jazz for that final play-in tournament spot, and a game ahead of Oklahoma City.
Next up is the Los Angeles Lakers, who stunned the heavily favored Pelicans by 2 in New Orleans earlier this season. Revenge is clearly on the team's mind as the home fans get set to welcome Tatum in person and see how Asbjorn Midtgaard performs in his debut.
