New Orleans Pelicans: 3 questions that need answered vs. the Suns
The New Orleans Pelicans have been like volatile stock this season, up huge one game only to plummet the next.
After blowing out the Memphis Grizzlies in their highest scoring game of the season, the Pelicans returned to some of their bad habits and dropped a very winnable game against the Portland Trail Blazers after blowing yet another double-digit lead.
Young teams are going to be inconsistent, even when they have Zion Williamson, who has been spectacular as of late.
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The New Orleans Pelicans have started poorly but are still just a game out of the play-in spot for the playoffs, so it’s not like the season is over.
The Phoenix Suns are currently the 5th seed and have been red-hot, winning eight of their last ten games.
This is one the New Orleans Pelicans need but there are some big questions heading into the game.
New Orleans Pelicans: Who will be in the starting lineup vs. the Phoenix Suns?
Steven Adams left the last game with an injury after playing only ten minutes and is listed as day-to-day.
This is not good for the New Orleans Pelicans, who really don’t have much depth anywhere. Willy Hernangomez has played really well lately and stepped up in Adams’ absence against the Trail Blazers, grabbing 17 rebounds and adding 11 points.
Jaxson Hayes was okay in his nine minutes, grabbing five boards, but he is ready to play big minutes again?
Hernangomez will probably get the start but if Hayes has to play 20 minutes or more as the backup then the Pels might be in trouble.
This might force Stan Van Gundy to use some small-ball lineups with Zion Williamson at center, which has mostly been a catastrophe on defense this season.
We may see some wonky lineups, especially if SVG doesn’t trust Hayes to get it done.