New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades in 109-99 Win Over Memphis

New Orleans Pelicans: Grade for the coaching.

The Coach

Gentry should be commended for getting his team ready to play mentally after the whooping they took at the hands of the Clippers. He tightened his rotations, playing only the eight guys he can trust and it worked. The Pelicans were in a much better rhythm last night, partly because Zion played more regular minutes and their rotations were almost back to normal.

Gentry had a good game plan against the Grizzlies, which was to force them to shoot three’s all night, which they did, making only 27.9% of them. The Pelicans sagged into the lane, didn’t let the Grizzlies’ guards penetrate and forced them to settle for long-range shots. Gentry had a good game plan and his players executed.

Once again though, Gentry had some baffling lineup combinations that almost gave away the lead. He went small, playing Melli with four shooters and it did not go well. The Pels couldn’t stop anything or grab a rebound and were unable to take advantage of their speed or shooting on the offensive end.

I like when the Pelicans go small, but not that small. If Melli has to play in the paint or guard the other team’s center, all the things he does well are negated. There is never a reason to play him at center unless Zion is also on the floor. This tactical error nearly cost the Pelicans as the Grizzlies went on a run against this lineup.

Gentry was much better overall, but he needs to avoid these weird lineups that create mismatches for his own guys. He also needs to figure out how to use Melli more effectively.

Overall it was a nice win for the Pelicans, with Zion and B.I. closing out the game in the fourth quarter, which was good to see.

They need to keep it going against the Kings, and another win will put them right back in the thick of the playoff chase.