Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 5 games the team can’t lose in midst of playoff race

By Willie Lutz

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Jrue Holiday #11 in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 02, 2020 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Jrue Holiday #11 in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 02, 2020 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Ingram, BI, D'Angelo Russell
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 03: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 in New Orleans, 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Sunday, March 8, 2020, New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Getting a rematch on Sunday after taking that terrible home loss on Tuesday, the Pelicans will catch a flight to chilly Minnesota, where their efforts will be vital to keep their season afloat.

Simply put, the New Orleans Pelicans cannot afford two losses in the span of a week to the lowly Timberwolves, a team that ranks 25th in the league with a -3.9 net rating.

Add in the fact that Minnesota will once again be without the services of Karl Towns, who seems increasingly likely to miss the remainder of the regular season with a left wrist injury.

Their loss against the Wolves wasn’t due to their inability to score the rock. Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday, and Lonzo Ball all finished with 24 points or more and the team shot 52% from the floor.

However, the Pelicans hit just 16-of-27 free throws while allowing the Timberwolves to hit 55.7% of their shots from the floor and 41.2% from three-point range.

This isn’t a new factor for this team, but it seems the key will be to tighten up on defense against a Minnesota offensive attack that caused them grief.

Saturday, March 22, 2020, Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Pelicans

Making noise in the Western Conference playoff race after starting the season in choppy waters, the Sacramento Kings have vaulted into the ninth seed, boasting a 27-34 record and going 7-3 in their last ten outings.

The last time these two opponents faced off in Sacramento on Jan. 4, the Pelicans stole a narrow, 117-115 victory thanks to a late, running layup from J.J. Redick, who finished with 18 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds in the win.

Currently without the services of Redick, but now with the services of Zion, the Pelicans should have an even better chance to beat the Kings on their home floor later this month.

The teams to play one more time before this meeting in Sacramento on Mar. 11, but either way, their final outing is the one that will determine the fate of the season series.

Needing to keep differentiating themselves against opponents with similar records due to tie-breaker rules, sweeping the season series would be gigantic for the New Orleans Pelicans.

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