New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

2. Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic provide excellent support

Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic combined for 55 points and 18 rebounds in the season opener. Randle finished with 25 points in 24 minutes while Mirotic recorded 30 points in 30 minutes. The biggest stat from Mirotic, however, was him going 6-for-8 from 3-point range. It’ll be interesting to see if he can bring this level of 3-point shooting ability each game.

It is no secret that when New Orleans traded for DeMarcus Cousins, it lost some of its perimeter scoring. Now, with Cousins in Oakland and New Orleans still searching for the right mix of pieces to bring in perimeter scoring to assist Anthony Davis, Mirotic could be a huge help in terms of scoring from floor and from beyond the arc.

Randle could be a huge difference-maker for the Pelicans in the post alongside the production of Davis. Randle, who averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season with the Lakers, adds an extra layer of defense as well as a big body in the paint to score and defend in the paint.

If Davis and Randle remain healthy throughout the season, this could pay huge dividends for the Pelicans, especially against opponents who are not as physical or undersized in the paint.