New Orleans Pelicans: 3 questions that need answered vs. the Suns

New Orleans Pelicans: Can the Pels execute in close games?

Let’s face it, the Pelicans haven’t played many close games this season. They usually either blow the other team out or get blown out themselves.

The Trail Blazers were an exception, so we got a chance to see the Pels’ late-game execution in a close one, and it wasn’t great.

The final play was a bit of a disaster, ending with a contested LONG 3-point shot from Lonzo Ball and an airball from Brandon Ingram. Just keep your eye on J.J. Redick if you want to blame the play call. The play worked, there just wasn’t any execution.

Lonzo had two chances to hit a wide-open Redick for the potential game-winning shot. Ingram probably could have passed or gotten a better look himself, but either way it wasn’t good execution.

The whole team seemed to panic a bit, which is something that will get better with time.

Part of this is on SVG, as Zion Williamson absolutely has to touch the ball there, as he was unstoppable all game and would have at least gotten someone an open shot or gotten fouled himself.

The Pels haven’t had many chances to execute in close games, so if the matchup against the Suns comes down to the last few possessions it will be interesting to see how the Pelicans respond.