The NBA announced the schedule for 2021-2022 on Friday for the Association’s 75th Anniversary. The New Orleans Pelicans open the season on October 20th against the Sixers, the same team that drafted Pels’ Head Coach Willie Green.
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This should be a good one, as Philly is poised to be one off the best teams in the East, so it will be an early test for the Pels.
But there are some games we are looking forward to even more.
New Orleans Pelicans schedule: Circle your calendar for these dates
November 19th vs Clippers
Pelicans fans this is the moment you are all waiting for. Eric Bledsoe returns to the Smoothie King Center for the first time since being traded, twice. This new look Clippers team will be interesting to watch against a young, talented Pelicans team. The New Orleans Pelicans played well against the Clippers last season, winning the series 2-1. This will definitely be an even matchup looking back at last year’s stats. It will be interesting to see how Pelicans’ fans react to Bledsoe coming back and I am guessing his homecoming will be slightly less warm than the one Jrue Holiday received. These two teams face off four times this upcoming season.
March 21st at Charlotte
Two of the smallest NBA markets go up against each other two times in 2021-2022. This matchup in particular would be Devonte’ Graham‘s first time back in Charlotte facing his former team. If the Pelicans want to win this matchup, they have to stop LaMelo Ball because last season the Hornets and Pels split the series 1-1 and LaMelo averaged about 17 PPG and played really well with Terry Rozier scoring 43 points one game as well. The defense will be critical for these 2 games against the Hornets as they are quick and difficult to defend.
March 24th vs Bulls
This will be one of the most anticipated matchups this season in my opinion. Lonzo Ball comes back to the Big Easy for the first time since the blockbuster trade early this offseason. Lonzo Ball should get a nice “thank you” tribute from fans and the organization. He definitely deserves some love from Pels’ fans. Lonzo Ball averaged 13.1 PPG, 6.4 APG, and 5.5 REB in his two years in New Orleans. These two teams face off just twice this season and the earlier matchup is on Oct. 22nd in Chicago. The Pelicans went 0-2 against the Bulls last season.