The New Orleans Pelicans closed out a disastrous house sport Monday night time, internet hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and trying to finish a nine-game shedding streak. The Pelicans are firmly in final place within the Western Convention and now face a Clippers crew that has received two video games in a row and 4 of its earlier 5 video games.
After yet one more loss, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night time, the crew was searching for solutions on each ends of the court docket. Head coach Willie Inexperienced harassed the significance of urgency and defensive focus. “We have to strengthen our protection and play with extra urgency,” he stated. “We have to deal with executing our sport plan and competing at the next degree.”
Regardless of the crew’s struggles, ahead Trey Murphy III started to emerge as a authentic menace. The third-year wing has stepped up over the previous 5 video games, averaging 26.2 factors per outing whereas taking pictures an environment friendly 45.2 p.c from three-point vary. Murphy, who hasn’t been the primary possibility since highschool, has tailored to defenses blocking him. Nonetheless, he stays targeted on the crew’s play as an entire. “It’s been a tough time, however we stick collectively as a crew. We consider in one another and know we are able to flip issues round,” Murphy stated after Saturday’s loss.
The Clippers, in the meantime, come into this sport exhibiting flashes of their potential. Over their final ten video games, they’ve gone 6-4, averaging 111.2 factors per sport whereas holding their opponents to 108.9 factors. Their effectivity on each ends is mirrored of their +2.3 internet ranking throughout this era. LA makes good pictures on offense, offering the proper complement to its disciplined protection, which has pissed off groups throughout the league.
The Pelicans can have their arms full attempting to comprise the Clippers’ balanced assault. Los Angeles is aware of methods to win. Their defensive ranking of 107.1 is among the many greatest marks within the league, and they’re going to look to make the most of New Orleans’ turnover-prone tendencies and defensive miscues.
The Pelicans, alternatively, to have an opportunity in opposition to the Clippers, they might want to lock down defensively and search for constant offensive manufacturing past Murphy. Dejounte Murray must care for basketball, and Yves Missi and Daniel Theis must spend massive evenings on the boards.
Whereas the Clippers come to city with confidence, the Pelicans should dig deep to cease their slide and salvage some pleasure in entrance of their house crowd. That is going to be one other robust battle for Willie Inexperienced’s crew in opposition to a disciplined and balanced Clippers crew.
Most up-to-date beginning lineups
| Los Angeles Clippers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Kris Dunn | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G-James Harden | G – CJ McCollum |
| F-Norman Powell | F-Herb Jones |
| F-Derrick Jones Jr. | F-Trey Murphy |
| C-Ivica Zubac | C-Yves Missi |
Accidents
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard (knee), Terance Mann (finger) and PJ Tucker (not with the crew) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (left hamstring pressure), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (decrease again disc protrusion) and Zion Williamson (left hamstring pressure) are OUT.
WHO: New Orleans Pelicans (5-27) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (18-13)
Season Sequence:
- December 30: Pelicans vs. Clippers
- March 11: Pelicans vs. Clippers
- April 2: Pelicans @ Clippers
Historical past of the sequence: The Pelicans are 43-32 all-time in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans has received six of the final seven video games in opposition to Los Angeles, together with two in a row in opposition to the Clippers.
Or: Smoothie King Heart
When: December 30, 7:00 p.m. CST
The place to observe: 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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- Dejounte Murray is having his worst season ever, what can the Pelicans do?
- Pelicans return from trip to face red-hot Rockets
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- Pelicans roster overhaul looms as crew faces accidents, trades and contract challenges
- With season in ruins, Pelicans reportedly open to buying Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram
- The Pelicans lose for the fourth time in a row and lose to the Pacers 119-104
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- Misplaced in one other disappointing season, Pelicans search for path ahead
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- The Pelicans are rolled by the Thunder, fall 119-109
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- It is time for the Pelicans to finish the Williamson/Ingram period that by no means existed.
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- With accidents and losses rising, ought to the Pelicans commerce Brandon Ingram to jumpstart the rebuild?
