CJ McCollum Explains How Pelicans Were Able To Overcome Sixers

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has always been one of the better guards in the league. He has a knack for being able to work his way around screens and be able to get himself open for jumpers while also being able to get to the rim and get some easy looks.

On Friday, he did it from deep as he knocked down a career-high, and a Pelicans franchise record, 11 triples to knock off the Philadelphia 76ers 127-116. All in all, McCollum had 42 points and his efforts helped lead New Orleans past the Sixers despite 37 points and eight rebounds from Joel Embiid.

The Sixers did build a lead of 10 in the first quarter as Embiid dominated. He scored 15 points in the opening quarter as he and James Harden worked their two-man game to perfection before McCollum, Zion Williamson, and the Pelicans took over the game from there as Philadelphia never had a lead after the first quarter.

“We played with better pace. I think when we started the game off I was too slow,” McCollum told reporters. “I wasn’t getting us into sets quick enough and I wasn’t playing with force. I started to play with force, Zion began to play with force and we were getting downhill and making the right plays. It was a really good team effort tonight. That was a really good team win.”

McCollum and Williamson combined for 78 points on the night as the Sixers had no answer for either player throughout the night. Williamson had 36 points and five rebounds and he was 10-for-16 from the free-throw line.

“He’s a special talent,” McCollum said of Williamson. “He’s special and he’s hard to guard. You saw tonight (Friday). He gets what he wants, he’s patient and he made the right plays and passes. He makes the game easy for me. I’ve been really working on my shot and getting in the gym to get extra reps and break down film. To God be the glory.”