New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Players to Watch in the Finale vs. Lakers

Jrue Holiday

It will be interesting to see how Gentry decides to use Holiday in the finale against the Lakers.

Holiday spent most of the last game getting bullied by LeBron and a repeat of this strategy will not be good for Holiday or the New Orleans Pelicans.

Holiday struggled on the offensive end as a result of guarding James all night, going just 5 of 19 from the field for 11 points.

He did have nine assists, including this beauty to Derrick Favors that put the exclamation point on a 19-4 Pelicans’ run.

The Pelicans need Holiday’s offense, so Gentry may have to make some adjustments to his defense to keep Holiday fresh.

Not to make excuses, but Holiday looked gassed after bodying LeBron and the numbers back it up. He shot just 1 of 5 from 3-point range and was a big part of the Pelicans’ miserable night from long-range.

The Pelicans need Holiday to have a more efficient offensive game and Gentry would be wise to use more of a “defense by committee” against James to help facilitate it.

Holiday is going to be one of the most important Pelicans down the stretch, and the way he is used tonight will show how Gentry plans to adjust against bigger teams.

With Lonzo Ball, Zion and Ingram all playing well, this game will come down to the bench and Gentry’s defensive adjustments against LeBron. If Melli, Hart and Holiday have big nights, there will be happiness on the streets of The Big Easy.