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New Orleans Pelicans: 3 matchups the Pels must dominate vs. Thunder

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on before playing the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on before playing the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans. Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram needs to keep rebounding

Matchup #2: Brandon Ingram vs. Darius Bazley

Like Brandon Ingram, Darius Bazley will play some at both forward positions and is a big part of OKC’s rotation.

When it comes to this matchup, Ingram is going to win the scoring battle, as he is averaging over 23 points per game even after a low-scoring game against the Suns.

But Ingram needs to keep Bazley off the boards. Ingram is averaging seven rebounds per game this season, a slight uptick from last year.

Bazley leads OKC in rebounding at nine a game, so keeping him off the boards will be crucial. The Thunder are currently middle of the pack defensively, but one of the reasons they are even that high is because they have been one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the NBA.

The Thunder are currently 5th in defensive rebounds, partly because Bazley has been grabbing so many from the small forward position.

We know Ingram is an elite scorer, but what will make him a top-ten player is continuing to improve his playmaking and rebounding.

Ingram should outscore Bazley easily, but if he can also out-rebound him, then the night will be a success.

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