Pelicans
The Pelicans keep stacking wins. Yes, the Pelicans.
New Orleans knocked off the Raptors, 122-111, on Wednesday as Trey Murphy III scored 28 points and Dejounte Murray added 27.
That gives the Pelicans 22 victories on the season, already topping last year’s total. They’ve also won seven of their last 10.
Murray, recently back from an Achilles injury, has scored in double figures in all seven games since returning and is averaging 17.6 points during that stretch.
“We’re trying to build winning habits every day,” Murray told Les East of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “Every game is a playoff game.”
Coach James Borrego said Murray’s presence has been noticeable.
“He’s bringing a fire and competitiveness,” Borrego said. “This group is rallying around that.”
Lakers
Defense has quietly been trending upward for the Lakers.
L.A. held the New York Knicks to 97 points and the Timberwolves to 106 in back-to-back outings.
Encouraging? Yes. Perfect? Not exactly.
“We’re not gonna be the No. 1 defense in the league,” coach JJ Redick admitted. “But to be above average… that’s really encouraging.”
Redick said rim protection remains the biggest issue.
“We’re one of the worst teams at defending the rim,” he said. “That’s not on our bigs. That’s on everybody.”
Warriors
Things have gotten tough for the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL. Stephen Curry remains sidelined with a knee injury. The result? Three straight losses and five defeats in the past six games.
Coach Steve Kerr said he’s trying to keep the group from getting discouraged.
“I’m just trying to fire the guys up,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “Without Steph, without Jimmy, I think I have to take on more responsibility keeping the guys’ spirits up.”
At the moment, that may be the Warriors’ biggest challenge.
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