New Orleans Pelicans: Probable Lineups and Rotation vs. Utah Jazz

New Orleans Pelicans’ Rotations: Point Guards

Point Guard Rotation

Starter: Lonzo Ball

Backup: Frank Jackson

Reserve: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Lonzo Ball is obviously the engine that makes the Pelicans go and will play heavy minutes in all of the games with both the starters and the reserves.

One interesting and unexpected wrinkle to the scrimmage games was how Gentry used NAW as the primary ball handler and Frank Jackson off the ball.

Jackson is still listed as a point guard, but played shooting guard in the exhibitions and played well. NAW had a few moments, but was sloppy with the ball and took some bad shots.

Gentry has to be intrigued by NAW’s size though, as he presents matchup problems all over the court, but it’s unlikely that he’ll get much playing time against Utah.

It was Jackson who stood out in the scrimmage games, especially defensively. He brought energy off the bench, was disruptive and proved he can defend larger opponents. He also knocked down open shots, which is important because he is a guy the defense will leave alone a lot, especially with Redick on the floor.

Jackson was  three for five from long-range against the Bucks and looked confident shooting the ball.

The first players off the Pelicans’ bench are going to be J.J. Redick, Josh Hart and Nicolo Melli, that much we know, but other rotation players will likely be matchup dependent.

The Jazz will be a little smaller with forward Bojan Bogdanovic out with injury, so we may get a heavier dose of Jackson in game one as the Pels try to shut down the Jazz guards.