Everything said since their last game, v Bucks on 16 Oct.
Ivica Zubac is learning a system a bit different from the Clippers', and Indiana is adjusting too: "he's a little different than anybody we've ever had," Rick Carlisle said. Larry Nance Jr., Jay Huff and Aaron Nesmith will be used at more than one position.
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) isn't back yet and a couple more Pacers are still getting healthy, per Indiana's media availability. Quenton Jackson has run the bench at point guard; Rick Carlisle says he's "ready for... being a full-time roster guy and being ready at all times."
Tyrese Haliburton walked off gingerly at the half with a charley horse: "I get a few charley horses a year, so stretch and I'll be fine in a couple of days." Indiana assistant Lloyd Pierce said they came out "pretty much unscathed" and called that the win of the night.
Indiana will likely have a light day Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 off before the New Orleans opener, assistant Lloyd Pierce said. Ivica Zubac is "the non-shooting 5," he said; Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. change the spacing. On Aaron Nesmith: "Obviously, we're missing Aaron."
Braden Smith filled in as Indiana's backup point guard in the preseason with T.J. McConnell out, Tyrese Haliburton said: "Braden was getting a lot of second-team reps at that point guard position." Worth watching if McConnell isn't ready for the New Orleans opener.
Everything said since their last game, v Wizards on 16 Oct.
Jordan Poole's role with the Pelicans, per Jamahl Mosley: Poole "is accepting the role of being able to defend at a high level, but also be able to come and score when needed to and playmake."
Bennedict Mathurin says the Pelicans have him in a different role: he'll "play off the ball a little bit more and trying to be a little bit more active offensively." From New Orleans' media availability, asked if more three-point attempts are an emphasis: "Of course."
Zion Williamson missed all four of his three-point attempts, and New Orleans coach Jamahl Mosley had no complaints: "Oh, I love that he shot it. Gosh, I love it. And they look good." Mosley credited off-court work and said Williamson shoots about 50% from three in practice.
"Our depth is going to be the key for us this year," New Orleans' Jamahl Mosley said, with his bench having won its minutes across four preseason games. Jeremiah Fears said Mosley reshuffles the practice groups every day so players get a feel for each other.
Jeremiah Fears says film study has slowed the game down for him. New Orleans' Jamahl Mosley called Fears' command of the floor the main gain of his offseason, as he balances scoring, setting up teammates and calming the game: "that's great growth for that young man."