The New Orleans Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Heart on Saturday evening, kicking off a five-game homestand in opposition to the New York Knicks. It has been a tricky stretch for the Pels, however with an opportunity to reset on their residence court docket, they will look to show issues round after shedding 5 video games in a row (two in a row in The Blender).
Pelicans battered by accidents
Accidents stay the dominant story for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) are nonetheless out, and they’re joined on the sidelines by Jose Alvarado (hamstring) and Karlo Matkovic (again). Daniel Theis is questionable for private causes.
Regardless of all of the absences, rookie Yves Missi steps as much as the plate. The 6’11” middle is averaging 9.3 factors, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per sport. Missi has seven double-doubles this season and has already revealed points which locations him among the many finest rookies in franchise historical past.
Jordan Hawkins, returning after lacking eight video games, considers the house journey a key second for the staff. “January is a tricky time, so to have a house stretch like that is large,” Hawkins stated. “It’s an opportunity to return collectively and provides the followers one thing to be enthusiastic about.”
The offense wants a spark
It is no secret the Pelicans are struggling offensively. They rank twenty ninth within the league in offensive effectivity, averaging simply 106.5 factors per 100 possessions. A giant a part of the issue? Dejounte Murray has not been the participant they had been hoping for.
Murray scores 16.4 factors per sport, however his taking pictures distributions are troublesome, together with solely 29% from past the three-point line. Worse but, the staff’s offense improves when he is off the sphere. With Murray, the Pelicans have an offensive score of 102.6, however that will increase to 108.3 when he sits.
The Pelicans level guard is taking pictures a career-worst 4.6 occasions per 36 minutes and has 20 giveaways in his final three video games. For a participant introduced in to stabilize the backcourt, the outcomes had been very disappointing.
Defensive sliding
Whereas the offense has been unhealthy, the protection hasn’t been a lot better. The Pelicans are twenty eighth in defensive effectivity, permitting 118.3 factors per 100 possessions. For context, solely Washington and Utah have been worse, and the Jazz are flirting with traditionally unhealthy numbers.
Murray leads the staff with 2.0 steals per sport and is aware of the staff’s protection must tighten up. “Protection is all about effort and focus,” Murray stated. “We now have to lock in, keep in entrance of our guys and assist one another.”
This will probably be essential in opposition to a Knicks staff with the second-best offense within the league. New York strikes the ball properly (ninth in assists) and shoots it from deep, rating second in three-point proportion (.396).
Karl-Anthony Cities (25.0) and Jalen Brunson (24.6) are among the many highest-scoring duos within the NBA.
The Knicks are coming to city
The Knicks are driving a four-game street successful streak, recent off a 133-107 loss to the Timberwolves. Cities led the cost with a monster efficiency of 32 factors and 20 rebounds. Brunson was regular as at all times, whereas Mikal Bridges torched the Pelicans for 31 factors of their final assembly.
This December 1st sport was a nightmare for New Orleans. The Knicks shot 53.4 % from the sphere, made 14 three-pointers and dished out 27 assists whereas dominating the Pelicans in each part of the sport. Their ball motion and effectivity had been on full show, with Bridges main the way in which and 5 different Knicks ending in double figures.
New York’s three-point taking pictures is an issue for everybody, and the Pelicans will have to be far more exact on the perimeter to keep away from one other loss. The Knicks hit 14.4 threes per sport and have a number of gamers able to warming up from deep.
Conclusion
The Pelicans want to point out power and urgency on this one. “It’s about pleasure and competitors,” Murray stated. “We now have to play collectively and battle each possession.”
Issues do not get any simpler for the Pelicans, who face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday earlier than internet hosting the Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers to shut out the calendar 12 months. This quintet totals 33 video games above .500 (84-51).
Most up-to-date beginning lineups
| New York Knicks | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Jalen Brunson | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Mikal Bridges | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – OG Anunoby | F-Herb Jones |
| F – Valuable Achiuwa | F-Trey Murphy |
| C – Karl-Anthony Cities | C-Yves Missi |
Accidents
New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Daniel Theis (private causes) is QUESTIONABLE. Jose Alvarado (left hamstring sprain), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (decrease again spasm) and Zion Williamson (left hamstring sprain) are OUT.
WHO: New Orleans Pelicans (5-23) vs. New York Knicks (17-10)
Season Sequence:
Historical past of the sequence: The Pelicans are 24-22 in opposition to the New York Knicks. New Orleans had received three straight in opposition to New York earlier than its loss earlier this month.
Or: Smoothie King Heart
When: December 21, 7:00 p.m. CST
The place to look at: Gulf Coast Sports activities and Leisure Community, Pelicans+
The place to pay attention: WWL Radio 870 AM
For extra content material, go to Sports activities HITP on YouTube or Sports activities HITP on-line.
LEARN MORE
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