Jose Alvarado Lifts Pelicans Over Hawks 117-112

The New Orleans Pelicans moved into 9th place in the Western Conference with a 117-112 road win over the Atlanta Hawks. CJ McCollum and Jonas Valancuinas scored 51 points combined but Jose Alvarado closed out the win in his return to Atlanta.

The New Orleans Pelicans now sit in 9th place in the Western Conference with a 117-112 road win over the Atlanta Hawks. CJ McCollum and Jonas Valancuinas scored 51 points combined but Jose Alvarado closed out the win in his return to Atlanta.

The Georgia Tech alum declared he was in his “second home” due to his college days and family connections. He looked comfortable driving through the lane with 45 seconds left to push the Pelicans up 114-110, then hitting two late free-throws to give the Pelicans a 116-112 lead effectively sealing the win for New Orleans.

Alvarado said the team was looking for CJ McCollum when he darted for that huge late layup. When he saw his defender look back though,  he “trusted the instinct. Did the job.” Confident and to the point, just like his game.

It was a tougher job late than it needed to be for the Pelicans. New Orleans led by 15 to start the fourth quarter. Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green said, “As the game settled down we tried to get the ball in CJ’s (McCollum) hands, set the screen with JV (Valancuinas), and then play off those two.”

McCollum (25 points, 8 assists) and Valancuinas (26 pts., 12 rebs.) did the heavy lifting. Jaxson Hayes (12p, 12r) showed consistency to his offensive game while gaining praise from head coach Willie Green for his defense down the stretch. Willie Hernangomez (17pts., 10 rebs.) even posted a double-double in just 14 minutes, hitting all seven of his free-throws. Still, Alvarado made the difference to anyone watching the game.

Mar 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) reacts after the Pelicans defeated the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

JOSE ALVARADO WAS THE PELICANS MVP

Green said of Alvarado: “I thought he was great. Defensively he was all over the place. Getting steals, doing what he does. He was giving us a lot on the offensive end. So closing the game with him...on Trae Young and having Herb Jones guard Bogdanovic is the way we felt we needed to finish.”

Green’s decision to let Alvarado close the last four minutes was a pivotal moment in the game and perhaps the season. Green altered the rotations once when he pushed Jaxson Hayes to the starting lineup. The Pelicans have multiple 30-points wins since that move. Green might have found a new closing five to lean on in the clutch during the last three weeks of the regular season.

Alvarado scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished 4 assists, snatched 3 steals, and made all 4 of his free throws in helping the Pelicans gut out a five-point win. It was another well-rounded stat line from the undrafted free agent who should sign a new contract soon.

Alvarado had another of his patented steals from hiding on the baseline as well, showing a fun-loving nature to his intense approach. Green laughed, “It’s amazing he has that kind of awareness to pull off that kind of steal. One of the first times I’ve ever seen it. Every time he does it and we get a steal, we’re grateful. But he’s just that type of guy.”

The Pelicans have won three of their last four. Brandon Ingram could be back in the starting lineup by the end of the week. Zion Williamson is still hoping to hit the court before the end of the season. New Orleans travels to face the Charlotte Hornets tomorrow before returning to the Smoothie King Center for a three-game homestand. Regardless of when those two stars return, these Pelicans are proving that are ‘just that type of team’ no one will want to play.