New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Keys to Victory Against the Kings

The Rookie Needs to Dominate

With All-Star forward Brandon Ingram struggling to make shots over the last two games, the New Orleans Pelicans will need a big one out of rookie sensation Williamson.

Zion was exposed against the Mavericks last week, who were able to use a combination of big, shot-blocking defenders to lure Williamson into the lane, where they stood their ground and blocked his shots repeatedly.

Zion needs to assert himself against the Kings, who will be shorthanded without Bagley III, which should open plenty of opportunities for Zion to plow his way through the lane for dunks or get out in transition for alley-oops:

https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/1236781748010311682

The Kings will try to slow down Zion by throwing Nemanja Bjelica and Richaun Holmes at him, but they won’t have much else with Bagley III out with injury.

Zion should be able to have his way in the lane and beat these two back on defense for dunks.

With just 18 games remaining, the New Orleans Pelicans cannot afford to drop one to the Kings, especially with back-to-back road games against the Jazz and Clippers looming.

If the Pelicans can win the battle of the bench and free throw line while getting a big game from their rookie, they should be able to pull out the victory in Sacramento and edge closer to the final playoff spot in the West.

Buckle in, folks.