New Orleans Pelicans: How Lonzo Ball can lock up Ja Morant vs. Memphis

The New Orleans Pelicans are riding a modest two-game win streak behind the improved play of Lonzo Ball and his defense will be key against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pelicans have looked like a different team over the last several games, largely because Lonzo Ball has been playing lockdown defense and finally started making some shots.

He is adjusting to a new role on the offensive end, often playing off the ball and being more of a spot-up shooter.

But Lonzo’s improved play started on the defensive end, as he has been outstanding lately, defending multiple positions and averaging more than two steals a game over his last six.

He’s been making things tough on the other team’s best guard as he did against Malcolm Brogdon and generally making winning plays on the defensive end as we saw at the end of the game against Indiana when Ball rotated to stop Myles Turner’s potentially game-winning drive to the rim.

If the New Orleans Pelicans want to keep rolling tonight against Memphis, then Ball will need a similar effort against the Grizzlies’ backcourt. Here’s how he can stop them.

New Orleans Pelicans: How Lonzo Ball can stop Ja Morant

The Lonzo Ball vs. Ja Morant matchup is one I’ve been waiting to see. Without Jrue Holiday, Ball has stepped up as the Pels’ best perimeter defender and has been asked to guard just about everyone.

The key to Lonzo shutting down Morant is to stay in front of him, it’s that simple. Lonzo’s defensive footwork has been much better this season but the Pels have still had a hard time stopping quick guards from getting into the lane.

Lonzo needs to play off Morant and make Ja come into him or shoot over him. Morant is only shooting 26.9 percent from long range on 2.9 attempts per game, so if you can get him to launch 3-pointers, you’ve won the battle.

Morant shot five against the Rockets in the Grizzlies’ most recent loss and only made one, so keeping him out of the lane and making him shoot from distance is key for Lonzo.

Same goes for Dillon Brooks, who has also not shot the ball well from 3-point range, hitting just 30 percent so far this season on 6.1 attempts per game.

The Pelicans’ guards need to move their feet, not bite on pump fakes and force Morant and Brooks to shoot over them, preferably from behind the 3-point line.

When Lonzo Ball plays well the New Orleans Pelicans are a totally different team. Let’s hope he can continue to establish himself as one of the better guard defenders in the NBA tonight against the Grizzlies.