The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The learning curve for Buddy Hield continues as the New Orleans Pelicans prepare to conclude their preseason schedule this week.

In his first preseason start last night, Hield finished with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists in the Pelicans’ 96-89 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

It was a bounce back performance for Hield who went scoreless last Wednesday in the Pelicans’ final game of the NBA Global Game series in Beijing, China.

The 6’4”, 215-pound guard opened the preseason with 19 points in his debut, followed by games scoring 18 and 14 respectively. Through three games he shot 6-15 from three-point range and 20-38 from the field.

In the two games since he has shot 0-8 from three-point range and 5-19 from the field.

“It’s been okay. Even if I’m going good, I still feel like I can get better. Never get too high or too low – always stay in between,” Hield said Monday at training camp. “I always keep that mindset. It’s about getting a feel for the game and confidence. Getting confident more in myself, that’s the biggest thing and what’s important in these next two preseason games.”

New Orleans (1-4) concludes its six-game preseason schedule tomorrow on the road against the Orlando Magic.

“I’ve been solid,” he said. “I’ve been good defensively. I still can get better, and that’s just watching more tape. It’s knowing player personnel – which (opposing) player does this and does that.”

Pelicans All-Star forward Anthony Davis sat out his first game since suffering a Grade 2 sprain last week in China. He is projected by the team to be out for 10 to 14 days and could miss the October 26 opener against Denver.