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

The New Orleans Pelicans hope to slow down LeBron and get some revenge against the Los Angeles Lakers in the series finale in what will be an electric atmosphere.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans served notice that they were not to be taken lightly in their last matchup against the Lakers just five nights ago.

The problem was that LeBron James sent the same message, as he was able to carve the Pelicans up for a season-high 40 points in the Lakers’ win.

The Pelicans bounced back with a nice win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night, putting on a clinic in team basketball with 36 team assists, including 12 from Lonzo Ball, who is looking more and more like the second coming of Jason Kidd.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers are far from the Lakers.

The New Orleans Pelicans struggled early against the Los Angeles in Tuesday night’s matchup, getting down 14-2 and spending the rest of the game trying to claw their way back.

The Pelicans shot just 8 for 27 from 3-point range, which is a number they will have to improve upon if they want to have a chance in Sunday’s rematch.

Though the Pelicans played a scrappy game against the Lakers, they look rattled at times, a testament to their youth and the adrenaline that comes with playing against LeBron on national TV in Los Angeles.

The New Orleans Pelicans will try to calm their nerves in the season finale in the Smoothie King Center, which is sure provide an electric, playoff-style atmosphere with Anthony Davis and the Lakers in town.

Here are three players to watch for the New Orleans Pelicans as they try to keep their momentum against the first place Los Angeles Lakers.

Nicolo Melli

Nicolo Melli is an important player for the New Orleans Pelicans for many reasons. Not only has he had the hot hand for the Pelicans of late, but he could be an important part of a revamped strategy for Alvin Gentry.

In the last matchup the Lakers made stopping the 3-point shot their primary agenda and they were successful. The Pelicans shot just 29.6 percent from 3-point range, which is well below their season average of 37.5 percent, third best in the NBA.

Melli has been a big part of that success, shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range in his rookie season for the New Orleans Pelicans, but he needs to do more.

The Lakers were able to close out on the Pelicans, using their length to run New Orleans off the 3-point line or contest 3-pointers, making it difficult for the Pels to get a good look.

Melli took advantage a few times, blowing past his defender and getting to the rim, or making a nice back cut for the dunk as he did here.

Melli finished the last game with 11 points and six rebounds, but was just 1 of 3 from 3-point range, as the Lakers were able to effectively close out on the sharp shooting Italian.

If the Pelicans try to go small against the bigger Lakers, Melli will have to be a big part.

The Pelicans will try to more effectively space the floor and Melli needs to put himself in position to get shots when the Lakers double on Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram in the paint.

Melli could also be a part of a new defensive strategy for Alvin Gentry.

Jrue Holiday was given the impossible task of trying to guard LeBron one-on-one in the last game. This proved ineffective and James was able to have his way in the post.

Gentry may decide that a team approach will be a more effective way to defend LeBron, which means everyone will get a shot at the King, including Melli.

Nico won’t be able to stop LeBron, but he is a big body to throw at him and it will be interesting to see if he is part of Gentry’s plan to slow James down.

Melli and the Pelicans’ bench may ultimately be the difference in a game that figures to be close throughout, but he is not the only bench player to keep an eye on.

Josh Hart

With J.J. Redick questionable with a hamstring injury,  Josh Hart needs to play well off the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench.

The Pelicans’ bench scored just 17 points in the last meeting with the Lakers, which is a problem. The Lakers often struggle with LeBron on the bench, which means the Pelicans need to take full advantage and it starts with Hart.

Hart disappeared in the last matchup, scoring just three points on 1 of 4 from the field. Hart has given the bench a spark for the Pelicans this season and they will need his rebounding and 3-point shooting if they want to have a chance against the Lakers.

Hart is one of the top rebounders for his position, pulling down 6.5 per game. The Lakers killed the Pelicans on the offensive glass in the last matchup, grabbing 14 against the smaller Pelicans.

The Pelicans need everyone to hit the defensive glass, not only so they can stop the Lakers from getting easy second chance buckets, but so they can get out in transition like they did here after eventually securing the board.

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Hart will likely see extended minutes if Redick is out. He needs to get some buckets off the bench and help a team effort on the boards.

If Hart and the Pelicans’ bench can have a big game, the Pelicans have a chance to pull off the upset.

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.