New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Things to Watch vs. the Memphis Grizzlies
The New Orleans Pelicans have a lot at stake tonight against Memphis.
If the New Orleans Pelicans want to make some noise at Disney World, it needs to start tonight.
After dropping the first two, the Pelicans no longer have the luxury of time, as they have six games left and may need to win them all to have a shot at the playoffs.
Related Story. The Pelicans are still alive after two losses. light
Memphis has to be somewhat nervous after losing their first two. They are now just two games ahead of the 9th seeded Spurs, who took care of business in their first two games.
Luckily, both Portland and Sacramento lost Sunday, as things couldn’t have gone much better for the Pelicans on their off day.
They are still in this, but will need to show some things tonight against Memphis, who will also be desperate to get a their first win in the bubble.
Here is what to look for in the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies game tonight in Orlando.
The Blowout Hangover
The Memphis Grizzlies will be on the second game of a back-to-back after a tough and close loss to the Spurs that went down to the last possession.
This should give the Pelicans an advantage, as they are more rested, but will there be lingering effects from getting slaughtered by the Clippers?
Most of the Pelicans have never been blown out so badly, in fact, Zion Williamson said that he hasn’t been part of a loss that bad since “AAU in 5th grade” to reporters after the game.
How will they bounce back from a game in which they were blown out so easily and barely put up a fight?
This is a chance for the New Orleans Pelicans to show what they are made of, as a blowout loss still just counts as one loss, and they can’t let it linger.
It wasn’t just that they lost badly, but the Pels showed little fight or energy, going through the motions on defense and letting the Clippers take endless uncontested three-pointers.
The Pelicans need to show some life tonight, some spirit, and get back to playing the kind of confident basketball they were playing before the hiatus.
Their body language was awful in the last game, and the young Pels spent half the time moping and hanging their heads.
If they come out flat again tonight, Alvin Gentry is going to be questioned, as his team did not look ready to play against the Clippers.
How will the young Pels respond? It’s something to watch.