MEMPHIS – Memphis is known around the NBA for its trademark, methodical “Grit and Grind” style of play, but on Monday, New Orleans center Jahlil Okafor took a page from the Grizzlies’ playbook. Moved into the Pelicans’ starting lineup due to the injury absence of five-time All-Star Anthony Davis, Okafor played like an All-Star himself, dominating in the paint and relying on old-school low-post moves. The first-year member of the Pelicans played his best game of 2018-19 by registering 20 points and 10 rebounds, outperforming Memphis counterpart Marc Gasol, a decorated big in his own right.
New Orleans finished 2-3 on its longest road trip of the regular season and cut the gap between it and eighth place in the Western Conference to 3.