Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Monthly Breakdown Of New Orleans Pelicans Schedule

By Christopher Dodson

METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 14: Ja Morant (L) of the Memphis Grizzlies and Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoot during warmups before a semifinal game of the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans open the year against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The New Orleans Pelicans hope to be in contention for a playoff spot this season. Should that plan be going as expected, the away game against the Los Angeles Lakers (Jan. 3) would be the ultimate new year proving ground. If not, what better team to test a New Year’s resolution? ESPN sees the intrigue either way.

The Sacramento Kings welcome the Pelicans to northern California on January 4. Any hangover from the Lakers hype will have to be slept off on the flight to the California capital.

The Utah Jazz (Jan. 6) and Chicago Bulls (Jan. 8) come to the Smoothie King Center for the first home games of the new year. Derrick Favors will hear an extra decibel coming from the stands, as all the Pelicans fans want to see him best Rudy Gobert.

Zion Williamson will get the Madison Square Garden experience January 10. The New York Knicks fans might not have much too root for this late in the season. It would not surprise anyone if they started serenading Zion much the same they cheered LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other star players they wish were available.

The New Orleans Pelicans then travel to face the Boston Celtics (Jan. 11) and Detroit Pistons (Jan. 13). It’s not quite the old Boston Garden, but the Celtics have a young core that matches up well with the Pelicans. Jahlil Okafor should look forward to proving his new game works versus Blake Griffin.

The Utah Jazz will be back in New Orleans for the second time in ten days on January 16. They are already comfortable with the name, the Pelicans will not make the games comfortable. Setting the tone for any playoff series would be crucial for the Pelicans young team.  Taking that attitude into the Clippers game January 18 would show the team is maturing into a contender. ABC will air the team’s progress.

Monday, January 20 the New Orleans Pelicans will play the Memphis Grizzlies. This should be a near-annual matchup regardless of draft lottery luck or previous season outcomes. Players are speaking out more than ever, building a culture of inclusion and education.

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. has many different looks, depending on the city. Boston and Los Angeles being paired together made sense. Pairing New Orleans and Memphis was the most logical choice the schedule makers had to make.

The Pelicans then head back to the Crescent City for a three-game homestand against playoff contenders. The San Antonio Spurs (Jan. 22), Denver Nuggets (Jan. 24), and Boston Celtics (Jan. 26) will visit New Orleans in a six-day span.

New Orleans makes a quick business trip to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28. The veterans should circle this game to make a point about taking care of expected wins and being professional about approaching a full season. Rookie walls help no one when chasing playoff appearances.

The Pelicans return back to New Orleans to host Memphis on January 31.

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