Pelicans light up Phoenix to end Aussie tour

• Tonight was the 27th NBLxNBA clash but the very first to be staged on Australian soil
• The series dates back to 1995, with Adelaide’s 2022 win over Phoenix the lone NBL victory
• The most stacked NBL team to not win a championship, including the Adelaide 36ers team that beat the Phoenix Suns

A first-half three point barrage has helped the New Orleans Pelicans flex their muscles and end their Australian tour in dominant fashion after a 127-92 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Rod Laver Arena.

Following a hard-fought victory over Melbourne United in the first game of the NBLxNBA Melbourne Series on Friday night, New Orleans came out firing and shot almost 45% from beyond the arc in the first half to put the game to bed early in the afternoon.

Once again, Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson showcased his dominance in a short amount of time on court, playing 15 minutes just like he did against United. Even though his biggest highlights were blocks dunk attempts from Phoenix big man Gorjok Gak and Next Star Malique Lewis, Williamson was still a force to be reckoned with, recording eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in his second game in Australia.

South East Melbourne, who hadn't played since being thrashed by Melbourne in the Throwdown on September 25, were looking to follow United's lead from two days earlier and matched New Orleans early with Nathan Sobey - a player with a history of performing against NBA teams after 23 points against Utah while with the Adelaide 36ers - leading the way.

But Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey, who hasn't played an NBA regular season game in more than 18 months following a serious knee injury, sparked a three-point clinic from the visitors with the likes of NBA champion Jordan Poole and No.7 draft pick Jeremiah Fears following suit as the pace of the game proved too much for the Phoenix as New Orleans finished the opening quarter with a 35-21 lead.

Jordan Hawkins added to South East Melbourne's problems off the bench in the second quarter for New Orleans, adding to the perimeter threats already provided by his teammates earlier in the game.

Meanwhile, NBA legend in 2008 champion and 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett stopped by the NBL commentary team and once again spoke about Aussie legend Shane Heal, who he called one of his favourite teammates.

The Phoenix weren't able to stop the Pelicans offensively but found some form on that end themselves with development player Daniel Foster and Akech Allir providing some much-needed spark for Josh King's side. Sobey also continued to lead the home side with 15 points in the first half as South East Melbourne put 35 points on New Orleans.

The only problem; the Pelicans had 39 of their own to hold an unassailable 74-56 lead at halftime.

Williamson didn't hit the floor after the main break, much to the dismay of the Melbourne basketball fanatics, but the Pelicans continued their dominance, suffocating the Phoenix defensively and limiting them to just 37 points in the second half, while scoring 53 of their own to end the game with a 35-point victory and finish the historic Aussie tour on a high.

Bey led the way for New Orleans with 21 points, including 4-from-6 from three-point range, along with six rebounds while Poole (15 points), Hawkins (14 points), Fears (12 points) and big man Yves Missi (10 points and six rebounds) all had impressive performances.

Phoenix big man Jordan Hunter top-scored for South East Melbourne with 17 points, Sobey had 16 and Allir also had 16 points for the Phoenix.