The New Orleans Pelicans will need a team effort tonight in an important home game against the Miami Heat.
The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a tough spot. With just 20 games remaining, they are not only going to have to get hot, but will need some help if they want to make the playoffs.
After losing three in a row, including a terrible home loss to the Timberwolves, the New Orleans Pelicans chances of nabbing the eight seed are rapidly disappearing.
The Pelicans showed improved defense against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, but it was not enough to stop the duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, who put 64 combined points on the Pelicans in their overtime win.
The Big Three of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball have been playing well of late, but the bench has let the Pelicans down.
Several players went ice-cold at the wrong time and the Pelicans embarrassment of riches when it comes to depth suddenly looks like it might not be enough.
Zion has been amazing, but coaches and staff will be watching him closely after playing his first back-to-back and suiting up for his third game in four days. Zion came up limping a few times against Dallas and that will be worth keeping an eye on, but overall Zion is not a concern against the Heat.
Here are three players to watch as the New Orleans Pelicans try to get back to their winning ways against the Miami Heat in the Smoothie King Center.
Frank Jackson
Frank Jackson picked up the slack for the Pelicans’ struggling bench against Dallas, scoring 12 points and going 3 of 5 from 3-point range.
This is important, as the Pelicans have struggled mightily from behind the arc since losing J.J. Redick to a hamstring injury, especially over their last three games.
In their last three, all losses, the New Orleans Pelicans made just 38 of 117 attempts from long-range, good for 32.4 percent, far below their season average of 37.3 percent, which is third best in the NBA.
With several bench regulars struggling, the Pelicans are going to need help from somewhere and Jackson looked like he was up for the task against Dallas, hitting open threes and driving to the rim for a couple of nice finishes.
With Tyler Herro out with an injury, Jackson may end up being big for the Pelicans’ bench if he can get some run. Gentry will be quick with the hook tonight and Jackson will get his chance if the bench continues to falter.