New Orleans entered 2019-20 with NBA analysts exhibiting excitement about the Pelicans’ talented crop of young players, but on Thursday a group of grizzled veterans led the way. With the team’s planned starting five nowhere near intact, fourth-fifths of the first string was comprised of NOLA’s four most experienced pros – JJ Redick, Jrue Holiday, Derrick Favors and E’Twaun Moore. All at least in their ninth NBA season, the quartet made sure the Pelicans would prevail against one of the West’s most highly touted teams, in the season debut of wing Paul George. The foursome combined to 90 points, paced by one of the top scoring games of Holiday’s career.
Postgame wrap: Pelicans 132, Clippers 127
