Jayson Tatum is a popular interview in postgame press conferences
A wild, thrilling OT win against the Sacramento Kings. A mansion of bricks in a defensive struggle in San Antonio that also eked out a win. And now, a butts in the seats matchup between Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson in Dallas. The #5 scorer in the CSL visiting the #2 scorer. Both seemed destined for All-Star and potential MVP consideration, depending on how the rest of the season goes.
In San Antone, Tatum struggled with his accuracy - shooting just 33.3% from the floor as he volume-shot his way to 23 points and 10 rebounds. It was the heroics of Olivier-Maxence Prosper having arguably his finest hour as a Pelican with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and a block, and Moses Brown putting up 12 points, 8 rebounds, and a block off the bench in the 89-82 win, an understandable hangover after the electrifying 120-117 OT win vs. Sacramento. There, Tatum popped off for 33 points, 2 steals, and a block, Tyrese Maxey ripped off 30 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 12 from the bench, Moses Brown 10, and every single Pelicans bench player but Scotty Pippen Jr. had a block.
These tough wins have been much-needed balm after the single-possession heartbreaks against the Clippers and Grizzlies.
But things won't be any easier in Dallas. Not with Zion's 30.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.2 steals waiting. And the Mavericks are pissed after road losses to the Knicks and Celtics, eager to return home and slap the upstart Pelicans who are currently sitting 8th in the West - a full game ahead of Houston.
Fortunately, Asbjorn Midtgaard returns just in the nick of time. It was a rough 2-3 stretch without him - including those two losses by one possession. The lineup with him is +19.2 NET (Although it's interesting to note that with OMP in t he lineup, it's +21.9). More importantly, his presence enables a second-string lineup that has been +18.3 NET in limited minutes thus far (SPJ/NAW/CHJ/OMP/Goga Bitadze). And his defensive prowess and passing will be absolutely critical in the matchup with Zion.
Asbjorn Midtgaard(R) will need to be on top of his defensive game if New Orleans is to win
Said an East team's scout, "You really saw the value of Midt to the team when he went down for those five games. With him, they're probably 4-1 in that stretch, and maybe give the 76ers a run for their money. I'm amazed at how well Tatum has played for them, and though it's very early yet, NAW is looking like a sneaky good addition. Even the negative Net Rating lineup with Moses Brown has been better than just about every other single Brown lineup this season that's had significant minutes."
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