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Coach Alvin Gentry named Moore the Pelicans' starting shooting guard to open the season prior to Thursday's 114-111 overtime loss to the Magic in the preseason finale, John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Moore played only 20 minutes in Thursday's game and finished with seven points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt) and two rebounds, but Gentry was likely limiting the newly-minted starter since he had been suffering from a sore heel heading into the contest. While No. 6 overall pick Buddy Hield still profiles as the Pelicans' long-term plan at shooting guard and should have a prominent role off the bench to begin his career, Moore outplayed him during the preseason and will be rewarded for his efforts. An underrated three-point shooter and a strong defender, Moore should offer the Pelicans steady play from a real-life perspective, but it may be tough for him to consistently hit double figures in the scoring column while Hield absorbs a good deal of the minutes at the position.
