New Orleans Pelicans: 3 storylines to watch against the Los Angeles Clippers

New Orleans Pelicans: Is there a way to defend the Clippers?

Defense on the wings will be instrumental if the New Orleans Pelicans want to have a real shot at beating the Clippers.

I’ve already lauded Kawhi Leonard and Paul George before this slide and NBA fans know what to expect from them, but who will make them uncomfortable on Sunday night? The Pelicans are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and some of it boils down to personnel.

3-and-D wings have been trending up in the league, but only Josh Hart might be considered one for the Pels. I expect that Hart will get plenty of minutes, but even then, he’s coming off the bench and he cannot guard both of Los Angeles’ star players.

The Clippers are a walking mismatch for the Pelicans. Let’s assume that they start the following five given Beverley’s injury: Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, and Serge Ibaka. The Pels’ rotation this season has no chance of guarding that.

Brandon Ingram’s defensive performances have been lackluster for most of the season, but he will have to start on either Leonard or George. The other wing will probably be defended by one of Eric Bledsoe or Lonzo Ball. Bledsoe hasn’t lived up to his previous first-team all-defense honors, but regardless of that, neither he nor Ball have the size or length to truly bother Leonard or George.

Zion Williamson will also pose a defensive problem. Although he could wreck the Clippers on attack, the Pels will probably just have to hide him on Batum. Yet, Batum has actually been pretty good for the Clippers this year. He surprisingly solidified himself as a starter right as the season began and is shooting 44 percent from deep. Williamson struggles to guard on the perimeter, so even “hiding” him on Batum might not actually mask his defensive shortcomings.

Finally, Steven Adams will definitely have to contend with Ibaka. Adams will do well inside the paint, but Ibaka is the type of stretch big that New Orleans has struggled with all year. Adams is not comfortable venturing out beyond the arc to start with, but it’s not like the Pels do anything but have him drop.

Either Stan Van Gundy makes some defensive adjustments or things could get ugly on Sunday.