New Orleans Pelicans: Offseason additions will decide the game vs. Suns

New Orleans Pelicans: Slowing Devin Booker is the key to the game

Matchup #2

Eric Bledsoe vs. Devin Booker

The second matchup features another recent addition to the New Orleans Pelicans, Eric Bledsoe, who has had an up-and-down season so far.

Bledsoe’s shooting has been erratic, as he’s put together two poor shooting performances after being lights-out in game one.

That’s to be expected but Bledsoe has been solid defensively and his shooting will come around.

Devin Booker has been one of the hottest shooters in the league going back to the bubble, so stopping him will be the key to the game.

Bledsoe won’t be alone. Everyone from Lonzo Ball to Josh Hart and maybe even Brandon Ingram will spend some time defending Booker and they will all need to bring energy.

If Booker is given any amount of space, he will kill you, so the Pelicans have to stay in his face, play physical and make it difficult for him to get to his spots.

They also need to punish him on the other end by going at him with a variety of looks. Booker is not a great defender and the Pels should try to wear him out by taking it right at him all night, making him run into Adams’ screens and in general just trying to bump him and make it miserable.

The New Orleans Pelicans will need a team defensive effort against Booker, as he is one of the best scorers in the league and can singlehandedly win the game.