The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BUDDY Hield’s New Orleans Pelicans debut lived up to the lofty expectations the organisations and his fan base had once he was selected No.6 in the lottery.

Hield finished with 19 points in the Pelicans’ 116-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks at CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, Louisiana, on Saturday night.

He also added six rebounds, three assists and shot 8-12 from the field, including 3-6 from beyond three-point range.

In his debut, Hield said his goal was to be more patient in his adjustment to the NBA level.

“Yeah, don’t rush it,” Hield said of his performance. “Let it come to you. The ball will find you. Coach always says the ball will find you if you’re [in] the right spots. Once you give the ball up, it comes right back to you, and you’re [not] taking a contested shot to a wide-open shot. So that’s cool. ... I’m just learning as I go.”

Hield and the new look Pelicans shot 58.2 per cent from the field, including 12/21 (57.1 per cent) on three-pointers.

‘’Whatever coach needs me to do, I’ll have to come with intensity,’’ Hield said. ‘’I just need to be efficient and let the game come to me.’’

New Orleans went on a huge run bridging the third and fourth quarters, regaining control of the game after Dallas had surged early in the third period. After trailing 22-21 through 12 minutes, the Pelicans amassed 95 points in the final three quarters.

Hield and E’Twaun each finished with 19 points, Terrence Jones had 17, Langston Galloway had 11, while Lance Stephenson and Tim Frazier each finished with 10.

In his return from an injury-plagued season, Anthony Davis had 13 points and high praises for Hield in his debut.

“He calls himself Buddy Buckets, and that’s what he did tonight,” Davis said, “He made a lot of shots, looked good on the defensive end. I’m definitely excited to play with him. He did a good job.”