James Borrego used a starting lineup Friday night that he had never used before.
Don’t expect him to change it anytime soon as long as everyone stays healthy.
The starting five of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen delivered a 133-127 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
It was a much-needed win in season where wins have been hard to come by.
The Pelicans improved to 11-36, avenging two earlier losses to the Grizzlies (18-25).
Now Borrego is hoping what he saw in the FedEx Forum Friday transfers over to San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center for Sunday’s game against the Spurs.
Particularly what he saw in the fourth quarter when the Pelicans outscored the Grizzlies 40-26.
A Pelicans’ team that has struggled closing games finally figured out a way to close one.
“Our group just decided to guard,” Borrego said about the fourth quarter. “There was a physicality about us, an energy about us. We finally took a stand. It’s going to be hard to watch the first three quarters defensively honestly. Maybe I’ll just watch the fourth.”
When he watches the fourth, he’ll also witness a brilliant performance by Bey.
Bey scored 19 of his season-high 36 points in the final quarter that began with the Pelicans trailing 101-93. Bey went on two personal 7-0 runs in the fourth quarter. He buried a 3-pointer from the corner with 58.4 seconds left that was pretty much the dagger, putting the Pels ahead 128-123. He finished the night knocking down six 3-pointers.
“I’m just grateful,” Bey said. “Trying to help the team as much as I can. Every possession, every game, I try to make the most of it and make God proud.”
While the Pels welcomes the win, they also welcomed back Jones. Good things happen for the Pelicans when Jones is back in the lineup. Jones suited up for the first time since Jan. 6. He had missed the previous eight games and 15 of the last 16. Since Borrego took over as interim coach, the Pelicans are 6-6 with Jones and 3-20 without him.
“Herb is definitely the anchor of our defense,” Bey said. “We’ve been missing him for weeks. When he comes in and defends like he does - and playing point guard today- he just does so many things that don’t show up in the stat sheet. I like that lineup. Everyone came in and contributed and played well.”
With Jones return, Borrego decided to bring rookie point guard Jeremaih Fears off the bench. It was Fears’ first time not starting since the second game of the season. But he ended up giving the Pelicans some valuable minutes off the bench, scoring 12 points to go with four assists and two rebounds.
“Jeremiah had a very good second half and he impacted that game,” Borrego said. “His defense to me is what’s standing out. On the ball. His aggression. Creating disruption. Chasing down rebounds and loose balls. He’s been phenomenal.”
Trey Murphy scored 32 points, while Zion Williamson finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Williamson also had a couple hustle plays in the fourth quarter that led to his two steals.
The Pelicans had 29 assists and just 10 turnovers.
“That’s the goal, to share it every night,” Borrego said. “This group is an unselfish group and I think you saw it tonight.”
The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, who scored 35 points against the Pelicans in the season-opener and didn’t play in the second game in November. The Pels lost both games, falling by five in Memphis to start the season and by six in an overtime loss in the Smoothie King Center in late November. This time they found a way to win a close game.
The 133 points is the third most points the Pels have scored in regulation this season.
“This was not an iso-heavy game for us,” Borrego said. “Even in the first half, it was heavy ball movement for us and finding high quality shots and trusting each other. I think that’s what defense does for you in general. In the fourth quarter, you saw it even more. When you’re getting stops and out running, you’re willing to share it more.”
To keep it in perspective, this was just one win over a team with a losing record. But it was a good start to a 3-game road trip that concludes with a brutal stretch against the top two teams in the Western Conference: Sunday at the Spurs and Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A new starting lineup, coupled with an 'it's about time' fourth quarter finish, was refreshing to see.
“It’s going to take multiple efforts,” Borrego said. “It doesn’t come as easily as we’d like. We’ve got to stick with it. I think that’s the blueprint that we saw in the fourth quarter.”