New Orleans Pelicans: 3 keys in rematch vs. Toronto Raptors

The New Orleans Pelicans will try to make it two in a row in their rematch with the Toronto Raptors.

The New Orleans Pelicans are 3-2 and should feel pretty good about where they are considering they are a young team with a new coach.

Outside of Oklahoma City, the Pels’ schedule has been tough so far and this will already be their second game against the Raptors, who have gotten off to a slow start.

The Pelicans won the first game against the Raptors behind strong efforts from Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsoe and J.J. Redick.

If the Pels want to get another win against the Raptors, here are the keys to victory.

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson needs to get going

It’s time to get Zion Williamson going

The Raptors gave the rest of the league a blueprint for how to slow Zion Williamson in the first game of the season.

They collapsed the defense into the paint, doubled Zion every time he touched the ball and forced the Pelicans to shoot from outside, which they did successfully, hitting 45 percent of their 3-point shots.

Since then the Pelicans have gone cold from 3-point range and teams continue to pack the paint in an effort to slow Zion.

This is something that he and Stan Van Gundy are going to have to adjust to as the season goes on, as teams have clearly decided that forcing Brandon Ingram to hit tough shots gives you a better chance than Zion pouring in layups and dunks.

Zion has to continue not to force things and look to pass out of double teams early when they come.

It says a lot about Zion Williamson that he has only played 30 games and is already the focal point of the other team’s gameplan.

But it’s time to get the big man rolling, using him in pick-and-roll more often and finding ways to get him the ball in better spots.