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Pelicans starting backcourt produces big night in opener vs. 76ers

NBA analysts seemed to have multiple questions this offseason while trying to evaluate New Orleans’ backcourt, with the most prominent being very simple: So who exactly are going to be the two starters? Pelicans first-year head coach Willie Green didn’t want to tip his hand throughout training camp and preseason, but it wasn’t a huge surprise Wednesday when the combination of Devonte’ Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker filled the roles vs. Philadelphia.

Despite the fact that Wednesday’s game was their first as an NBA starting backcourt, the pair played like they’ve been together for a few years. In just the 14th start of his three-year career, Alexander-Walker dropped in 23 points (4/8 three-point shooting), while Graham’s New Orleans debut featured 18 points (4/6 on treys).