Brandon Ingram will make his return to New Orleans for the first time since being dealt at last season’s trade deadline when his Toronto Raptors visit the Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Ingram played for the Pelicans for five-plus seasons, averaging 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
In his first season in Toronto, he’s been the leading scorer (21.5 ppg) for a Raptors team in the mix for a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Toronto fell for the fifth time in seven games, though, with a 113-99 setback in Houston on Tuesday. The Rockets broke open a close game late in the first half and outrebounded the Raptors 52-30.
“Rebounding was definitely a big part of the game,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We did not do a good enough job in the first half. Throughout the course of the game, they just continued to dominate the glass.
“… We did not convert good enough in transition, and that was a big deal there. Honestly, we had a bunch of wide-open shots that did not go in.”
RJ Barrett scored 25 points and Scottie Barnes added 24 for the Raptors.
This season has been a struggle for New Orleans, but there have been positive signs in the last few weeks. The Pelicans have won 11 of their last 20 games and matched last season’s win total (21) with 16 games remaining.
After tearing his Achilles last season, Dejounte Murray has given New Orleans a lift. He’s averaging 16.0 points in his six games back and is shooting 89.3% from the free-throw line.
“He’s playing freely, he’s been an All-Star, and I think to me, in terms of the mindset of where he’s at, it’s a mindset of gratitude,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. “It was taken away from him, and now he has gratitude to be back on the floor.”
New Orleans took down Washington 138-118 on Monday night. It was just the Pelicans’ fourth win of the season by 20 points or more.
Zion Williamson has been relatively healthy for New Orleans this season, appearing in 49 games (42 starts) and averaging 21.5 points per game.
Trey Murphy III has enjoyed his best season as a pro for the Pelicans, leading the team with an average of 22.0 points per game. He is shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.
“We’re getting better. Continue to pound the rock,” Borrego said. “They’re playing better. They’re competing to win games. We’re far from where we need to be, but we’re certainly making strides.”
Pelican rookies Jeremiah Fears (13.2 ppg) and Derik Queen (11.9) are in the top 10 in scoring among rookies.
New Orleans has struggled defensively, ranking 27th in the NBA in average points allowed (120.2) and also is shooting 32.4% from 3-point range, which is tied for 26th in the league.
The Raptors won both meetings last season. The two teams will meet again in Toronto on March 27.
