New Orleans Pelicans: 3 things to watch in preseason game vs. Bucks

New Orleans Pelicans: Are defense, turnovers and free throws actually improved?

Early Trends

Ok, so one game is not a trend but there were some encouraging signs from the first game. Three areas of emphasis for the Pelicans coming into the season were to clean up the turnovers, improve the defense (especially in the paint) and to get better at the free-throw line.

So far, so good.

The Pels allowed just 92 points to the Heat and looked like a different team defensively. There was more focus, hustle and intensity than I saw at any point last season, particularly from Brandon Ingram, who was swarming.

Only 38 of those points came in the paint, down from their average of 52.2 a game last season, which is a huge improvement.

The Pels went 26-31 from the line for 83.8 percent as a team, including 10 of 11 for Zion. The Pelicans shot 72.9 percent as a team last season, so if they can keep this up, it will mean more wins in close games.

The Pels only turned the ball over 11 times, much better than their NBA-worst 16.4 from last season, which led to far-fewer easy fastbreak points.

If the Pels can continue these early trends they are going to be very good this year and will be in the hunt for the playoffs.

It is still very early, but you have to like what you’ve seen so far from the New Orleans Pelicans. Let’s hope it continues against the Bucks.