Category: Pelicans

Pelicans vs. Bulls Preview: Taking advantage of an opportunity

With a chance to finally play non-playoff teams, the Pelicans have a golden opportunity awaiting them in the coming week.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls

When: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

After a brutal stretch of games against playoff foes, the Pelicans will be afforded a golden opportunity over the coming week. Starting on Wednesday, the Pelicans will have a string of games against non-playoff foes beginning with the Bulls.

In Chicago, New Orleans will have a foe that is has a top ten defense and a bottom three offense, resulting in a net rating of -1.5 that ranks them 17th overall. Chicago has lost its last four games and five of its last six, the lone win coming against an equally lowly Atlanta side.

The Bulls are weighed by their offense inside the three-point line. The team ranks 30th in field goal percentage at the rim, 30th in short mid-range jumpers, 29th in long mid-range jumpers and 30th overall in all mid-range jumpers. Even Chicago’s three-point shooting is simply mediocre as they rank 15th in three-point percentage.

However, the Bulls’ offensive struggles can be summed up in the fact they rank third in the league in frequency of shots at the rim. It’s an odd combination that plays into the Pelicans’ favor as they allow the fourth-most attempts at the rim.

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Pelicans vs. Jazz Recap: The good, the bad and the Ball

In a game against arguably the hottest team in the NBA in Utah, the Jazz did just enough, with some help from the officials late, to squeak past the Pelicans on Monday, 128-126.

In a game against arguably the hottest team in the NBA in Utah, the Jazz did just enough, with some help from the officials late, to squeak past the Pelicans on Monday, 128-126.

The Good: Brandon Ingram

Ingram continues to establish himself as The Guy for the Pelicans, finishing with 35 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He did much of his work in the first half but hit a huge three-pointer late in the game to tie it up. With Jrue Holiday out, he more than stepped up in the scoring department and continues to build a growing case for an All-Star Game bid in February.

Honorable Mentions: Battling a playoff team wire-to-wire, E’Twaun Moore (again), Derrick Favors (again), Lack of turnovers

The Bad: The refs and replay center

There are more than enough moments throughout every sporting event that you can never outright blame the officials for a loss. But the Pelicans have plenty to complain about regarding the end of the game.

After grabbing a rebound, Ingram sprinted the length of the floor and attempted a game-tying layup that appeared to be blocked by Rudy Gobert as time expired. But replays immediately showed a foul on Gobert as he never made contact with the ball as the referees began to review the call.

But after a lengthy review, the officials determined the correct call was made on the floor and the game was over. It was a truly horrible call that ruined the ending of what was a terrific game.

Honorable Mentions: The officials (again)

The Ball: Stepping up in Holiday’s absence

With Jrue Holiday sidelined with an elbow contusion for the night, Lonzo Ball was forced into a bigger role as the sole ballhandler in the starting lineup. He did not disappoint, continuing his strong play with yet another 20-point night.

Ball finished the night with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while hitting four of his six three-point attempts. He also continued to score in a variety of ways, finishing at the rim and knocking down mid-range jumpers to go along with his long-range shooting.

Pelicans vs. Jazz Preview: Two streaking Western Conference sides

Two sides riding on a high meet in New Orleans on Monday with Pelicans looking to continue their winning ways against the Jazz.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz

When: Monday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

The Pelicans, winners of six of their last seven and eight of their last 10, host one of the few teams in the Western Conference flying higher than them in the Jazz on Monday. Utah has won 10 of their last 11, moving from a side near .500 to battling for the second seed in the West.

Not surprisingly, Utah has one of the top defenses in the league, sitting at seventh in the league. During their 11-game win streak, the Jazz have the second-best net rating in the league and the third-best offensive rating.

Interestingly, in that same span, the Pelicans have a defensive rating that ranks 10th in that same span.

In the previous meeting this season, a 37-point outburst from Donovan Mitchell pushed the Jazz to a 128-120 win for Utah at home. The win also came with Rudy Gobert sidelined with an injury.

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Pelicans vs. Kings Recap: The good, the bad and the Ball

JJ Redick’s game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds left in the fourth gave the Pelicans a 117-115 win over Sacramento on Saturday.

JJ Redick’s game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds left in the fourth gave the Pelicans a 117-115 win over Sacramento on Saturday.

The Good: The bounceback

After a tough loss to the Lakers on Friday, the Pelicans had a strong performance on the road in the second night of a back-to-back. Considering the level of effort New Orleans had to exert in the Laker game, one could hardly fault the Pelicans for a lackadaisical effort in Sacramento. But New Orleans started strong and finished strong.

For a team that is certainly starting to talk about the playoffs, a performance like this is pertinent. Sacramento is a team that a playoff team should be beating, home or away. While it got interesting down the stretch, grinding out a win is big for this team moving forward.

Honorable Mention: Baby Lakers performance, Derrick Favors’ rebounding, JJ Redick’s winner

The Bad: The final minutes

The Achilles heel of this Pelicans team has been clutch situations. After putting together a run that made it look like the game wouldn’t be in doubt, the Pelicans conceded a run to make it a game again. Favors’ big rebound on a JJ Redick miss on an open layup bailed out the Pelicans before Jrue Holiday looked to have iced the game.

But then Nemanja Bjelica banked in a three-pointer with a foul for a game-tying four-point play on Brandon Ingram’s sixth foul. While playoff teams get wins on the road like this, they don’t make the mistakes this team routinely does down the stretch.

Honorable mentions: The second quarter

The Ball: Strong run continues

Lonzo Ball continued his run of 20-point games with his third straight, furthering his career-best run of eclipsing 20 points. On Saturday, it was a strong fourth quarter from Ball to help him get over 20 points as he scored 15 of his 24 points in the period.

While he wasn’t as efficient as he’s been in recent weeks, he knocked down some huge shots in the fourth quarter, namely in the form of long-range efforts. The other parts of his games were as strong as ever as he also had nine assists and six rebounds.

Pelicans vs. Kings Preview: A bounce-back opportunity for New Orleans

Following Friday’s loss to the Lakers, the Pelicans have the opportunity to bounce back against a reeling Kings side.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings

When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 10:00 p.m ET

Where: Golden 1 Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

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While Friday’s game was a tough loss for the Pelicans, New Orleans returns to the court immediately on Saturday with a great chance at a bounce-back victory.

The Kings are one of the handful of teams between the Pelicans and the eighth seed. Unlike the Pelicans, the Kings are falling rapidly, winning just two of their last 10 games.

De’Aaron Fox’s health has largely been a determining factor in how successful the Kings have been. His return on Thursday helped the team end an eight-game losing streak with a win over the Grizzlies.

On the season, the Kings are 22nd in net rating with a defense that ranks 18th and an offense ranked 21st. With Fox on the floor, the Kings have an offense that would rank 12th, though the defense would rank almost worst in the league with a rating of 113.7.

The Pelicans have had six back-to-backs this season and hold a record of 4-2 in the second game of those so far.

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Lakers vs. Pelicans Recap: The good, the bad and the Ball

Despite a valiant fight in the fourth, a story told over and over this season, the Pelicans saw their rally fall short to the Lakers on Friday, losing 123-113.

Despite a valiant fight in the fourth, a story told over and over this season, the Pelicans saw their rally fall short to the Lakers on Friday, losing 123-113.

The Good: Anthony Davis

It’s a hard pill to swallow for obvious reasons, but Anthony Davis was absolutely dominant on the night. He finished with 46 points on 15-of-21 shooting with 13 points. That was better even than the 41 points and nine rebounds he had in the first meeting against New Orleans earlier this season.

He was unguardable on the night. The Pelicans tried to continue playing small against the super-sized Lakers and it failed. And Davis put the exclamation point on the night twice with a pair of one-handed lobs in each half.

Honorable Mentions: Baby Lakers, nine-man rotations, E’Twaun Moore again

The Bad: The first and third quarter

It’s the same old song and dance with the Pelicans this year with a slow start in any of the opening three quarters is followed by the team clawing its way back into the game. On Friday, the Pelicans were outscored 42-30 and, if not for a handful of buckets from Lonzo Ball, would have trailed further.

New Orleans fought back into the game in the second quarter but then repeated the feat in the third, falling behind this time by as many as 24 points at 100-76. Again, they fought back in the fourth and made it a contest but couldn’t overcome their big deficit again.

Honorable Mention: Defense on Anthony Davis, defense on Danny Green, three-point shooting

The Ball: Best basketball of his career

Lonzo Ball followed up a 27-point night on Sunday against Houston with another 20-point outing, leading the Pelicans with 23 points. It’s the first time in his career he’s paired 20-point games back-to-back and another symbol of how well he’s playing.

While the three ball didn’t fall quite at the rate it has in recent weeks, he still finished with five assists, a pair of steals and a pair of rebounds. He attacked the rim with an aggressiveness that is rarely seen from him, highlighted by a pair of dunks on strong drives into the lane.

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WATCH: Lakers play tribute video for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart

The Los Angeles Lakers played a tribute video for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart in their first return to LA to face the Lakers.

In their first trip back to Staples Center against the Lakers on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers played a tribute video for the trio. All three players were drafted by the Lakers and once were seen as the future of the franchise. However, all three would eventually be dealt in the spring in a deal that landed the Lakers Anthony Davis.

After the first quarter on Friday, the Lakers played the tribute video for the trio, showing them being drafted and playing in the purple and gold.

It was a nice, heartfelt touch from the Lakers that certainly wasn’t expected nor necessary. When introduced in the starting lineup earlier in the night, both Ball and Ingram received loud cheers from the fans.

During shootaround on Friday, both Ball and Hart expressed excitement to return to Staples Center.

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Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart excited for return to L.A. against Lakers

In their first return to Staples to play the Lakers, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart both expressed excitement to be back in Los Angeles.

For the first time since being traded from the franchise in June, the former Baby Lakers in Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball will return to meet the Lakers in Staples Center on Friday. During shootaround on Friday morning, Ingram spoke about matching up with the Lakers.

“It brings back some good memories. That’s the team that drafted me, made my dreams come true. I remember my draft class and every player that came through here. It was some enjoyable times.”

Hart also looked back fondly on his time in Los Angeles while also wondering what could have been last season.

“We had a lot of fun. I think a lot of guys wonder if we didn’t have the injuries last year (during Los Angeles’ first season with LeBron James), what we could’ve done. But it’s always love with the (former Lakers players) and L.A. It was so much fun, the two years I had here. Those times are behind me, so I’ve got to look forward. But it was a great time.”

Injuries ravaged the Lakers last year, leading to a disappointing finish that included a failure to make the playoffs. The trio of young prospects were dealt not many months later for Anthony Davis and, along with LeBron James, the Lakers sit atop the Western Conference.

The trade, though, also worked out for the New Orleans-based former Lakers. Ingram is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 25.3 points per game this season. Now healthy, Ball has flourished, highlighted by a triple-double in his latest outing. Hart is also averaging a career-high in points at 10.9 per game while seeing a rise in his three-point shooting from last season.

It’s a deal that worked out for all parties (at least so far) and it’s nice to see no animosity held between the players and their former franchise.

Pelicans making push for eighth seed in weakened Western Conference

The New Orleans Pelicans, improbably, find themselves still within striking distance after an abysmal start to December.

Three weeks ago, the idea of LaMelo Ball landing with the Pelicans seemed like a distinct possibility with the team mired in 13 game losing streak. Fast forward to the beginning of 2020 and the outlook for New Orleans looks drastically different.

Four consecutive wins, all coming against playoffs teams, and five victories in the last six outings have the Pelicans back in the hunt for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The fact they could even be considered in contention stems from the fact that the bottom of the playoff race in the West has been putrid this season.

After Thursday night’s results, the San Antonio Spurs hold the eighth seed with a 14-19 record. They only recently moved into that spot after recent losses from the Portland Trail Blazers. Paired with the Pelicans’ winning form of recent weeks have moved them to just 3.5 games back of the eighth seed.

The Pelicans are going to have opportunities to move up in the coming weeks as well. While the Lakers present a daunting test for New Orleans on Friday, the Pelicans will travel to Sacramento one night later to face the team directly above them in the standings. A home game against Utah offers another chance to gain ground against a playoff team after the Kings contest.

But it’s the stretch after that where the Pelicans could really do damage. Starting with a home game against Chicago, New Orleans will have three games in a four-game stretch against non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference. The lone playoff team the team plays in that road trip will be Boston.

Also looming in the near future is the return of Zion Williamson. The rookie had his first practice of the season and looks set to return likely this month. He will certainly bring a boost to the team, particularly if its a team still holding truer to its winning form than the one that lost double-digit games in a row.

For now, the cards are falling into place for the Pelicans to piece together a run and reenter the playoff race. It’s up to New Orleans now to take advantage of the opportunity.

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Lakers vs. Pelicans Preview: A California homecoming

The Pelicans will look to continue their recent winning run with a trip to Los Angeles to meet the Lakers for the second time this season.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers

When: Friday, Jan. 3, 10:30 p.m ET

Where: Staples Center

How to watch: ESPN

For the first time since being dealt out of the city, the former Baby Lakers will lead the Pelicans into Staples Center to meet the Los Angeles Lakers. While it’s the first trip to Los Angeles, it isn’t the first meeting as the two teams had a memorable pre-Thanksgiving clash that saw the purple and gold hold on late for a win.

That loss for New Orleans was early in what would become a 13-game losing streak. However, more recently, the Pelicans have won four straight games and five of their last six.

Defense has been key for the Pelicans in that stretch as they have the third-best defensive rating over the last six games at 100.5 points per 100 possessions. The Lakers, who once sported a top-five defense early in the season, have slipped to sixth overall on the year but have improved their offense to fourth overall.

After not being available for the first meeting, Lonzo Ball will face off against the Lakers for the first time this season.

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