The New Orleans Pelicans improved their summer league record to 2-0 on the backs of multiple strong second-half defensive performances, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 80-65.
At halftime, the contest was knotted up at 35 points apiece. The Pelicans proceeded to win the third quarter by a 22-14 margin, and the fourth, 23-16.
The team’s full-fledged effort was witnessed all the way to the final buzzer, highlighted by Naji Marshall forcing Tre Mann into a turnover during the final minute of the game after some hounding man-to-man defense.
“This, right here, is for the future and the regular season so it’s just about building good habits,” Marshall said to NBA TV’s Dennis Scott after being asked about that defensive intensity.