New Orleans Pelicans: 3 key matchups to watch vs. the San Antonio Spurs
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram needs to slow down DeMar DeRozan
Matchup #3
Brandon Ingram vs. DeMar DeRozan
Several Pelicans, including Josh Hart, will get a chance to defend DeRozan, so it is not all on Ingram, but Ingram needs to win this matchup decisively.
DeRozan is exactly the type of big shooting guard/wing that the Pels have struggled to defend, so Ingram will have his hands full.
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The Pelicans’ wing defense was terrible against Miami, especially in the first half when the Miami guards and wings were pouring in uncontested 3-pointers.
Ingram needs to use his length to force DeRozan into tough mid-range shots, which happen to be his specialty. The Pels’ goal should be to keep DeRozan as far from the hoop as possible and make him shoot over Ingram’s length.
On the other end, Ingram needs to keep doing what he is doing, being the Pelicans’ primary scorer with the first unit and primary facilitator with the second.
The Spurs will throw a variety of looks at Ingram but they don’t really have anyone who can handle him one-on-one, so B.I. needs to feast.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been inconsistent in the first two games, which you would expect with a new coach and a lot of new faces.
They hope to get back in the win column and send an early message to a rival.
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