New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Players to Watch Against the Miami Heat

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.

Nicolo Melli

Nicolo Melli seems to have hit a wall after playing some of his best basketball of the season. He has been the beneficiary of a ton of good looks due to all the attention paid to Williamson and Ingram, and for a couple of games, Melli was knocking them down.

But something happened to the fiery Italian.

Since hitting 6 of 7 from behind the arc against the Golden State Warriors, Melli has gone ice-cold. He has hit just 4 of 23 in the last five games for an abysmal 17.3 percent, including just 1 of 7 against Dallas.

Melli did hit an incredible game-tying 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime, but it was the only shot he hit all game.

Melli is important for the New Orleans Pelicans for several reasons. His shooting allows them to spread the floor and gives Zion more room to operate in the paint. He also allows the Pelicans to go small in stretches, giving them mismatches with Zion at the five.

It is not an overstatement to say that Melli may be the single most important non-star for the Pelicans and that his play may determine how this season ends.

Melli needs to find his stroke tonight against Miami. He should continue to get plenty of chances but he’s got to knock them down.

Josh Hart is another bench player that has to get going if the New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to catch the Memphis Grizzlies.

After solidifying himself as the Pelicans’ most important and productive bench player, Hart has fallen off the map and his confidence seems to have taken a big hit.

This is especially true of his 3-point shooting. Hart has never been an outstanding 3-point shooter, but he’s 35.5 percent for his career and can usually be relied upon to knock down a few open looks.

Hart hasn’t been able to throw the ball into the ocean over the last six games, going just 6 of 31 from behind the arc for 19.4 percent.

Looking at these numbers for Melli and Hart, it is not surprising that the Pelicans have struggled of late, as they have gotten next to zero scoring from their bench.

Hart has continued to rebound the ball and still plays tough defense, but the Pelicans really need him to knock down some shots. He was hesitant against Dallas, but was able to get one bucket after driving to the rim.

This may be the way for Hart to get back on track. If he can penetrate and get some easier shots to fall, then it is possible that he will re-discover his 3-point stroke in time for the New Orleans Pelicans to make a final run at the playoffs.

The Pelicans’ starters have been doing their part offensively, but the bench has let them down. If Melli and Hart can’t get on track, they are in big trouble and will need someone like Jackson to step up over the final 20 games.