New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Keys to Victory Against the Kings
The New Orleans Pelicans can keep their playoff hopes alive with a win against the Sacramento Kings in the Golden 1 Center.
It is going to be an exciting finish in the Western Conference. The New Orleans Pelicans enter Wednesday’s game against the Kings in a three-way tie with Portland and Sacramento for the ninth spot in the Western Conference, just 3.5 games behind idle Memphis.
The Grizzlies loss to the Magic means that the matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Kings will take on even more meaning, as both teams try to scramble to gain ground.
The New Orleans Pelicans won the first game against the Kings behind a game-winner from now-injured J.J. Redick.
After tonight’s game the Pelicans will have just one game remaining with the Kings, a March 22nd matchup at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
This head-to-head matchup against the Kings is crucial, as the New Orleans Pelicans will end the road trip with back-to-back games against the Jazz and Clippers, two of the best teams in the West.
The final 18 games should provide plenty of drama and entertainment in the Western Conference.
The New Orleans Pelicans need a big win tonight. Here are three keys to victory against the Sacramento Kings.
Beat their Bench
The New Orleans Pelicans’ bench has been one of the strengths of the team, but lately they have collectively gone cold at the wrong time.
This is especially true of Nicolo Melli and Josh Hart, two key contributors for the Pelicans who have gone just 14 of 69 from behind the arc over the last seven games.
Melli’s shooting allows the New Orleans Pelicans to better space the floor and open up driving lanes for Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball and rookie wrecking machine Zion Williamson.
When Melli isn’t shooting well the second unit suffers and teams can just pack the lane without getting burned.
Hart is the emotional leader of the Pelicans and always plays tough defense and grabs rebounds, but lately he can’t hit a shot. He’s made just 20 percent of his 3-pointers over the last seven, a number that needs to improve tonight against the Kings.
The Kings’ bench will be somewhat depleted, with power forward Marvin Bagley III out with injury.
If the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves with an early lead, their bench will get a chance to extend it, but they have to knock down shots.
The Pelicans need Melli to remember how to shoot, for Hart to be aggressive taking the ball to the basket, and for someone, possibly point guard Frank Jackson, to step up.
The battle of the bench could determine this game, as both teams’ starters are playing well.