Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Toughest Matchups of 2019-20 Season

By Cody Taylor

MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0, Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0, Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Bradley Center on February 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Bradley Center on February 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Giannis and company are title favorites for a reason.

#4 Milwaukee Bucks

Home: February 4th

Away: @ Milwaukee December 11th

The toughest outing of the Eastern Conference won’t be the defending champion Toronto Raptors or the Philadelphia 76ers, it’ll be the Greek Freak led Milwaukee Bucks. The 2018-19 MVP is looking to get to the NBA promised land of the NBA Finals after dropping the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals to Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors.

Retaining Khris Middleton, signing Kyle Kover, Robin Lopez, and another year under coach Mike Budenholzer should give the Bucks a better shot with Kawhi Leonard out of the east and the 76ers taking a step back losing Jimmy Butler(Miami) and JJ Redick(New Orleans).

While the Eastern Conference is top-heavy with Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia and should be a relative cakewalk until the conference finals don’t overlook the Bucks giving Western Conference teams and contenders trouble. 20-10 against the Western Conference in 2018-19 should show how well they stack up and being able to compete against the top teams.

A young Pelicans team will probably struggle against the Bucks, who swept New Orleans last season, who is getting better as Giannis grows his game but it should show New Orleans what Zion could do in the future to dominate the NBA.

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