New Orleans Pelicans vs Spurs: Elimination Game in the Bubble

New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs: Key Matchups

Key Matchups

The new four-guard lineup that the Spurs have been using in these games is concerning for the Pelicans’ defense, however, we could see a lot more Josh Hart in this game as a way to combat all the wing-sized players San Antonio will use. Hart has been excellent so far in the bubble and I’d love to see his role expanded in this game.

If Gentry does decide to play in a style similar to the Spurs and moves Brandon Ingram to the four, we could see a lot more of a Pelicans-themed lineup of death with Jrue, Lonzo, Hart, Ingram, and Zion on the floor at the same time.

The Pelicans would be giving up a size disadvantage by not playing Favors against Jakob Poeltl but Poeltl would have a very hard time keeping up with the explosiveness that Zion brings. Poeltl has been playing in place of Aldridge during the seeding games and has seen his minutes increase, although not by very much.

Like a lot of fans, I was expecting Poeltl to up his stats with his increased workload now that Aldridge is gone. In the Spur’s first four games Peoltl didn’t crack double-digit points or rebounds once. In the Spur’s latest game against the Jazz, however, Poeltl put together a very strong 19 point, 10 rebound double-double (only two of the Jazz rotation players saw minutes in this game).

Poeltl is only playing about half of each game, leaving the other 24ish minutes to the combination of Rudy Gay and Drew Eubanks. Neither of them would be able to keep up with a fully-conditioned Zion. That’s where the problem starts, we don’t know what version of Zion we’ll be getting in these games.

At times he’s looked like the world-beater that averaged 22 points and six rebounds as a rookie, and at other times he’s looked out of shape and slow. I understand the team’s desire to keep him fresh and healthy but he’s just 20 years old, he doesn’t need a minutes restriction right now, he needs to play in real NBA games.

The most interesting matchups will be between the three guards/wings that the Spurs will run out against the sometimes-suffocating duo that is Jrue and Lonzo. All of those players are about the same height 6′-4″ to 6′-5″ with similar wingspans and are all good defenders. This game will almost be the spiderman meme in real life.

The Spurs will need to find someone to defend against Ingram as DeRozan is a superstar on offense but not exactly a lockdown defender, the same is true going the other way as well. Ideally, neither of these two would defend the other but there aren’t many players on either team with the height to do so outside of themselves.

I expect big scoring afternoons from both players, as this is a must-win game for the Spurs and Pelicans.

The Spurs are trying to keep alive their 22-year playoff streak and New Orleans is looking to make the playoffs for the first time with the new core (extending J.J. Redick’s streak as well wouldn’t hurt).

It’s do or die for the New Orleans Pelicans in the bubble. Time to see what this team is made of.