New Orleans Pelicans: 3 key matchups to watch vs. the San Antonio Spurs

New Orleans Pelicans: Steven Adams needs to contain LaMarcus Aldridge

Matchup #2

Steven Adams vs. LaMarcus Aldridge

This is another matchup that will involve another player, likely Zion Williamson, who has been logging minutes at the five.

However, those minutes have not been productive and it has been glaringly obvious every time Adams goes to the bench.

This is a game that the Pels should dominate down low, as the Spurs play small with Aldridge and Jakob Poetl as their only real big men.

The Spurs play small-ball, starting a lineup with four guards and Aldridge, meaning the Pels should be able to feed Zion and Adams in the paint all game.

But they also have to defend well enough for the Pels not to have to counter with a small-ball lineup of their own, which means Adams needs to take care of business against Aldridge.

The Spurs are best when they can play small, so if the Pels can force them to change their approach and play Poetl more, it should disrupt the Spurs’ offense.

Adams has been the most consistent Pelican defensively and will have to play big minutes again vs. the Spurs.