DENVER – E’Twaun Moore was born in 1989, so some of his earliest memories of watching the NBA on Christmas Day are from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Like many New Orleans Pelicans players Wednesday, actually getting to perform on this national stage is a unique experience, with Moore’s previous Dec. 25 NBA appearances consisting of logging four seconds of a game as a Boston rookie in 2011, as well as 14 minutes in 2014 while playing for Chicago. He’s looking forward to being on one of the 10 teams competing today.
“It’s always exciting. I remember as a kid growing up, always watching the Christmas Day games, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, all those guys,” Moore said. “It’s one of the most fun days to play in the NBA. It should be a lot of fun tonight.”
Pelicans guard JJ Redick is the rare teammate who’s been part of this basketball tradition numerous times. When the ball is tipped off at Pepsi Center (9:30 p.m. Central), Redick will officially move into a tie for second place in all-time Christmas appearances, with 10. Not coincidentally given the caliber of teams that generally are chosen to play on the holiday, Redick has also made the playoffs every season of his career.
Jrue Holiday is the only New Orleans player who’s previously suited up in a Pelicans uniform on Christmas, scoring nine points and logging 27 minutes in an overtime loss at Miami in ’15.
Other notes from this morning’s shootaround at Pepsi Center:
Moore on one key while facing Denver (21-8, on seven-game win streak): “It starts with the head of their snake, the big fella (Nikola Jokic). He’s a good passer, always initiating. We’ll try to control him and take him out of the game as much as possible. Play our pace, try to play fast and make them keep up with us.” New Orleans ranks seventh in the NBA in pace, while Denver is No. 30. …
After he’s been out of the rotation much of December, Moore came through with valuable plays in Monday’s road win at Portland. Several teammates had supportive comments following Moore’s 13-point game, to which Moore responded, “It’s cool to know your teammates have your back and want you out there to play. It definitely feels good.” …
Like Moore, Kenrich Williams provided important contributions Monday at Portland, in a performance that was much-needed for both he and the Pelicans. He only took two shots, but made both of them, including a corner three and a two-hand dunk.
“It’s always big to be able to hit a couple shots,” Williams said. “I work hard on my game and my shot, so I trust it. (But) I’m always going to try to be an impact on the floor, even if I’m not hitting shots.” …
Of the highlight-reel dunk Monday in which Lonzo Ball appeared to “dunk on” Williams during a putback slam, Williams smiled and said, “It was either going to be me or him. One of us was going to dunk it.”
