New Orleans Pelicans: Things to Watch against the Sacramento Kings

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings: Turnovers and Free Throws

The New Orleans Pelicans turn the ball over way too much and miss too many free throws.

I have written that sentence over seven million times this season and it is still true.

When the Pelicans take care of the ball, as they did against Memphis, their defense is much better and they don’t give up as many easy hoops.

The Clippers turned 18 Pelicans’ turnovers into 34 points, which is exactly what they have to avoid against the Kings.

The Kings turned it over just ten times against Dallas, so this will be a stat to keep an eye on. The Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA at taking care of the ball, while the Kings are middle of the pack.

Whichever team turns the ball over less will probably win.

Free throws are another area to watch. The Pelicans are next to last in the NBA In team free throw percentage and last game they made just 24 of 39 for 61.5%, bad even by their low standards.

Sacramento shoots four percent higher as a team, though they average fewer attempts per game. shooting 20.2 free throws on average to the Pelicans’ 23.4 per game.

The Pelicans were aggressive against Memphis and need to stay with this approach, as free throws kept them in the game in the first quarter when their shots weren’t falling.

But they have to actually make them.

This is especially true of Brandon Ingram and J.J. Redick, who missed six between them even though they are two of the better free throw shooters in the league.

They can’t keep leaving points on the table or they are going to lose close games, as they did against Utah, dropping a two point loss and missing five free throws.

This should be a good game between two young and evenly matched teams. If the Pels can shut down the bench, take care of the ball and make their free throws, they should be in good shape.