New Orleans Pelicans show flashes, but can’t finish; 3 takeaways
By Phil Watson
2. Nicolo Melli lit it up
Nicolo Melli, a 28-year-old rookie who was undrafted in 2013 and played the last two seasons with Turkish power Fenerbahce, put some people on notice Tuesday night — you leave the 6-foot-9 stretch big alone at the 3-point line at your own peril.
Melli scored 12 first-half points on 4-of-4 shooting from deep and finished the night with 14 points, five rebounds and a couple of assists. He was 5-for-7 overall and 4-for-5 from deep (he fired up a corner airball late in overtime) in his 20 minutes.
That comes after a preseason during while Melli shot only 38.5 percent overall and just 32.0 percent (8-for-25) from 3-point range in five appearances.
Melli will have an opportunity to win more minutes over the next month or two while No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson recovers from surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee.
New Orleans went with a three-guard look to open the game with Jrue Holiday, J.J. Redick and Lonzo Ball. Brandon Ingram — all 196 pounds of him — was at the 4 and Derrick Favors began the game at the 5.
Melli did some good things, setting solid screens and battling on the glass, and he was a plus-11 on the night, matching Kenrich Williams for the highest mark on the roster. Ingram was a team-worst minus-19, but this is not to say anything other than the units Melli was on the floor with fared better than those Ingram was with for his 35 minutes.
If the opener was any indication, Melli could have a chance to earn more minutes.