Pelicans: Zion Williamson’s fourth quarter usage proving effective

The Pelicans have finally introduced Zion Williamson to their closing lineup, and haven’t lost since. With added fourth-quarter minutes for the big guy, this team will begin dropping fewer games in the clutch.

Last night, the New Orleans Pelicans put up 125 points in a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, securing their first back-to-back wins since the debut of Zion Williamson – they are now 2-2 with the addition of Williamson,  following an 0-2 start. The Pelican’s high-flying phenom also put in the most minutes of playing time we have seen this season, logging nearly 30 minutes, offering hope that his low-usage days are behind us.

More exciting than that? For the second game in a row, Zion saw the court at the end of the fourth quarter; this is something fans were missing in his first two games and the Pelicans will benefit from moving forward.

Last night, Zion Williamson checked in for Josh Hart with 3:19 left on the game clock and stayed in until there was just over a minute and a half remaining – the game prior, versus the Boston Celtics, Zion drained two free throws with 26.3 seconds on the clock, notching the final pair of tallies on the scoreboard.

The Pelicans’ young superstar is finally putting in late-game minutes and this is the stat to pay attention to. Don’t let his season-low 14 points on 53.8% shooting discourage you – it was his first road game in what has been a sorrowful week for the NBA. Just know this: the Pelicans benefit from Zion being on the floor in the fourth quarter.

No ifs, ands, or buts – the Pelicans need to close better in the fourth quarter.

So far this season, the Pelicans have blown ten fourth-quarter leads. Give us half of those back, and we would be sitting eighth in the Western Conference, covering the 4.5 record deficit on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Before the previous two games, in which Zion played during the final five minutes, the Pelicans averaged a fourth-quarter defensive rating of 112.1 – the 25th worst in the league. In contrast, they have posted an average defensive rating of 96.0 during the fourth quarter of their last two games – good enough for 5th in NBA. The difference? A 25% increase in Zion’s fourth-quarter playing time.

Zion Williamson doesn’t even need to touch the ball to get things done both offensively and defensively for the Pelicans.

With Zion on the floor, New Orleans’ offensive rating is 6.2 points higher than with him off the court.

As such, their opponents’ offensive rating rises a staggering 9.8 points when he leaves for the bench. New Orleans has longed all season for the spacing he provides on offense, and his size on defense.

With the prospect of further increases in Zion’s fourth-quarter usage, ideally toward the end of regulation, the Pelicans should begin dropping less late leads.

Compounded with an easier-than-average schedule looming, the Pels may be polishing their dancing shoes come mid-April.