Pelicans Soar Over United at Rod Laver Arena with Zion's Dominance

The New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious against Melbourne United in a pre-season clash held at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. The final scoreline read 107-97, favoring the Pels, who now boast a record of 1-0. Meanwhile, Melbourne United stands at 0-1 after this encounter.

First Quarter

The game commenced with the Pelicans setting an aggressive pace. Zion Williamson led the charge for New Orleans, contributing significantly to their early lead. The Pels dominated the first quarter with a commanding 35 points compared to Melbourne's 24. Williamson's presence was felt on both ends of the court as he scored efficiently and disrupted United’s offensive rhythm.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter, both teams matched each other's intensity by scoring 27 points apiece. However, it was Trey Murphy III who stood out for New Orleans with his sharp shooting and defensive prowess that kept Melbourne from closing in on their lead. The Pelicans maintained their advantage heading into halftime.

Third Quarter

As play resumed after halftime, Yves Missi showcased his defensive skills by recording three blocks during this period alone. Despite Melbourne’s efforts to close the gap by scoring 28 points in this quarter, they were unable to surpass New Orleans' total of 23 points due to Missi’s formidable presence under the basket.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter saw Jordan Hawkins stepping up for New Orleans with crucial plays that ensured victory was within reach for his team. Although Melbourne attempted a comeback by adding another 18 points to their tally, it wasn't enough against New Orleans’ consistent performance throughout all four quarters.

This matchup provided fans an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead as both teams continue preparing for regular season action through these pre-season games.

Looking forward: The next game will see South East Melbourne Phoenix facing off against our very own Pelicans at Rod Laver Arena on October 4th at 11:00 PM EDT (October 5th local time). Fans can catch all live action via NBA TV or Gulf Coast Sports networks!

Don't miss out! Share this article and keep supporting your favorite team!