Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks
When: Monday, July 27, 8:00 p.m ET
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans
After back-to-back games against undermanned foes, the New Orleans Pelicans should finally have a test against a normal team on Monday, though that “normal” team is arguably the best team in the league. The Milwaukee Bucks will serve as the final tune-up for the Pelicans before seeing games begin on Thursday.
The Pelicans themselves will still be undermanned with Zion Williamson unlikely to be cleared from quarantine by Monday’s game. Even if the rookie forward is cleared, it’s just as unlikely that the team rushes him onto the court in time for the game.
Without him during scrimmage contests, though, the Pelican starters have looked impressive. Brandon Ingram shined in the opening game against the Nets, who were without an entire starting five’s worth of players, and the entire unit took advantage of the Denver Nuggets’ exceeding tall lineup.
While those were strong performances, Monday will challenge the team in ways they haven’t been challenged so far in exhibition games as the Bucks have a full palette of players available.
the Pelicans also may stretch out the starters more than they have in the first two games. In the previous scrimmage games, the starters have barely played any second-half minutes. With Monday being the final warm-up before the games matter in Thursday, the starters could play a full third quarter or more as well.
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