New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson and free-throws
Prediction #2
Zion Williamson will shoot 75% from the free-throw line
Another reason Zion Williamson’s scoring average is going to increase is because of free throws.
Zion will not only get to the line more often this season, but he is going to knock down at least 75 percent of them, hopefully more.
Zion shot just 66 percent on 7.4 free throw attempts per game last season, but both numbers are going to increase.
Zion shot 11 free throws in each of the first preseason games, hitting 17 of 22 for 77.2 percent overall.
As Zion’s post game continues to improve, fouling him is going to be one of the only ways to stop him from getting to the rim.
You can either try stop his shots at the rim (good luck) or foul him, and last season, it worked, as Zion didn’t shoot free throws particularly well.
He already looks like a different guy at the line, as his shot is smoother and he’s shown a soft touch that allows him to get some friendly bounces.
Zion knows he can rack up points at the line, saying to reporter Andrew Lopez, “That’s free money. I gotta take that.”
Zion is going to get to the line more than anyone other than James Harden this season and he is going to pad his scoring average in the process.