Zion Williamson lead New Orleans Pelicans to 114-92 victory against Miami Heat

Zion Williamson was outstanding for the New Orleans Pelicans in their 114-92 victory over Miami Heat in their preseason opener on Monday night. He was involved all through.

Speaking to the media after the victory, Williamson said: "It felt great to be out there for extended stretches. It was great to experience that again."

The 20-year-old forward was involved in the all through against the Heat for 33 minutes and 13 seconds, which his third-highest minutes played in an NBA game, which cancasinos casino tabled predictions to the fans willing to bet.

He continued: "It was a different feeling. I can't even lie. It was a different feeling for sure. I think I was only able to finish a game maybe three, maybe four times last year. But it was a great feeling. When the clock struck zero, I was almost like, 'Wow, it's been a while.'"

Williamson, himself, forgot he finished 11 of 24 games last season, but because the Pelicans were only able to win three of the 11 games he finished, it shouldn't be something to remember for him.

The 20-year-old forward seemed to have reignited his old flame on the court as he finished the game with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. He was only able to register double-doubles in 24 regular-season games last campaign.

The Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy admitted that he was quite impressed with Williamson's performance on the defensive end, where he dropped down eight rebounds.

Van Gundy said to the media: "He hasn't really been doing much of that in practice, to be honest, and it wasn't a strength last year. For him to be able to rebound the ball the way he did on the defensive end was good."

He was also impressed with the 20-year-old free throw shooting as he went 10 of 11 from the line. There have been two instances when Williamson, a 64% free throw shooter, one was his attempt against Utah Jazz at the Orlando Bubble and the second being in a game against Cleveland Cavaliers.

Williamson said: "The free throws, I feel like I'm going to get fouled a lot. That's free money. I gotta make that."

Williamson has been working during the offseason with Pelicans assistant coach Fred Vinson, who has helped Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball in improving their shots department, with real money online casino games having back both of them to success every season since their improvement.

"Me and Coach Vinson have been putting in a lot of work every day in practice, free throws, working on the jumper, working on everything involving my shot," Williamson said. "That's been really helpful up to this point."