Memphis GrizzliesOpen full analysis
New Orleans PelicansOpen full analysis
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 114–106 on January 30 at Smoothie King Center, staying under the 230.5-point Vegas total in a defensive battle. Saddiq Bey and Derrick Queen each scored 22 points for New Orleans, which shot 48.9 percent from the field and made 8 three-pointers while forcing 19 turnovers. Memphis countered with balanced scoring from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cole Spencer, each with 16 points, and attempted 12 threes despite shooting just 43 percent overall. The Grizzlies dominated the glass with 46 rebounds to New Orleans' 42 and dished out 26 assists, but the Pelicans' suffocating defense—holding Memphis to just 15 third-quarter points—proved decisive. New Orleans' defensive rating of 103.3 compared favorably to Memphis' 113.5, and the Pelicans' 13 steals created chaos. The Grizzlies' 19 turnovers and inability to capitalize in the third quarter proved costly despite outrebounding their hosts. New Orleans' defensive intensity in the third quarter suggests the Pelicans can compete in close conference matchups moving forward.
