Ingram posts first career triple double as Pelicans swat Hornets

NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Ingram had 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for the first triple-double of his seven-year NBA career, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 115-96 victory over the short-handed Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

Ingram picked up three consecutive rebounds late in the third quarter to get to double-digits in that category. His 20-foot jumper and free throw put New Orleans up 88-79 with 36 seconds left in the third. The Pelicans’ 11-5 run to start the final quarter put the game away.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for his 38th double-double of the season to help the Pelicans win their third in a row. C.J. McCollum added 20 points, Trey Murphy 19 and Naji Marshall had 16 off the bench.

P.J. Washington scored 18 points, including 16 in the first half for Charlotte. Svi Mykhailiuk had 15 points and Gordon Hayward 12 points.

The Hornets stayed close by shooting 53% from the floor (24 of 45) heading into halftime. But Kelly Oubre exited in the second quarter with a right shoulder strain after scoring 8 points in 12 minutes. Charlotte guard Terry Rozier left with a sore right foot after scoring 5 points. Ingram scored 17 points and dished out six assists in the first quarter as New Orleans opened a 37-24 lead, but the Hornets used a 33-25 second quarter to cut the halftime deficit to 62-57. Ingram had 19 points and nine assists in the first half.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Coach Steve Clifford said third-year C Nick Richards, averaging career highs in points (7.9), rebounds (6.1), blocks (1.1) and minutes per game (18.2), deserved his 3-year, $15 million extension. “He’s had some absolutely monster games, and I think his confidence is growing,” Clifford said. “It all comes from his hard work.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN EXPLOSIVE PBA SEMIS; WESLEY IN AMERICAN CUP FINALS

Truth is that even after Meralco snatch the win in a come-frombehind game versus Magnolia, the Bolts remain the dark horse in the Govs’ Cup conference.

Against sister ballclub TNT, I don’t know how coach Norman Black will field in a first five that will approximate Trop[ang Giga’s “Delta Force.”

That’s right. TNT has a deeper bench in RR Pogoy, Mikey Williams, Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro and the prolific import Rondae-Hollis Jefferson.

With slotman Poy Erram back, TNT becomes more formidable.

Basketball fans should know that a bench strategist usually uses only the best seven of his twelve men.

Undaunted, and because of his Grandslam experience, Black has to figure out - man-to-man - who among his soldiers can withstand the heat.

Against the number one offensive team (TNT averages 118 plus pts per game), Black is proud to wave Meralco’s tag as the best defensive quintet.

But the Bolts should be wary not to be enticed to tango in a running game.

Ok. There’s Chris Newsome who should bear the brunt of or- chestrating Black’s maneuvers at the point with able outside shooting support from Aaron Black who was responsible in bringing Meralco back alive from the ignominy of defeat.

KJ McDaniels proved his critics wrong (including this deadline beater) by lifting the Bolts to the next level in the OT period.

Allein Maliksi and Cliff Hodge complete the Meralco picture with Raymond Almazan and Banchero making up Black’s “Magnificent Seven.”

But in an import-laden conference, the fate of a team lies in the hands of his foreign recruit.

Jefferson is much more assertive and aggressive than McDaniels, thus the the former’s scoring output should make “the” big difference.

Brgy. Ginebra is doubly confident Justin Brownlee will tow the Kings to victory. San Miguel Beer exhibits the same confidence in Cameron Clark.

It’s difficult to place a bet. All teams are individually capable of pulling the rug from under.

*******

This corner is happy to announce that after making “puyat” to monitor the on-going swashbuckling games among the top-rated GMs in the American Cup, our kababayan, Fil-Am super GM Wesley So has qualified for the finals.

He defeated Levon Aronian in the rapid tie breaks out of the loser’s bracket and will challenge Hikaru Nakamura, a five-time US champion, whom So needs to beat twice in this double elimination tournament.

The 29-year old Cavite-born bachelor also got rid of defending titleholder Fabiano Caruana along the way. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!