Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Top 5 Most Important New Orleans Pelicans Series Next Season

By Christopher Dodson

Derrick Favors Utah Jazz (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
Derrick Favors Utah Jazz (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans Jrue Holiday
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 29: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk on the court during an NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on December 29, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

The Houston Rockets got off to a slow start last season, losing at home on Opening Night to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The new Houston Rockets backcourt fits that description, even better than Portland’s duo. Lingering uncertainty about how James Harden and Russell Westbrook is the only reason the Trail Blazer’s pair are in consideration for the best backcourt in basketball.

Holiday and Ball will have four opportunities to take down the Rockets in the regular season. There will be at least three games against Portland. A winning record in those seven games would likely mean a decent playoff seeding.

Keeping both Harden and Westbrook below 20 points will be all but impossible. Derrick Favors and Jahlil Okafor will have to clog the paint, and hedge high screens, to allow the backcourt to recover. J.J. Redick may log his most minutes in games against the Rockets.

Wins will require an MVP-caliber stat line from someone wearing a Pelicans jersey. Holiday will have off nights; Ingram, Favors, and Zion will have to help pick up the scoring slack when Jrue is busy defensively corralling All-World talents.

Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball can play defense at a high level as well. Frank Jackson has the tools but has lacked the court time to show his game. Using a rotating cast of different defenders could save Holiday’s energy.

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