What the New Orleans Pelicans need to do differently vs. Timberwolves

The New Orleans Pelicans need to get to the line

One area where the Pels did dominate in the first game was the free-throw line, where they knocked down 18-of-23 attempts.

This is something they can lean into as they try to figure it out on offense, as both Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas have matchups they can take advantage of.

The Pels need to feed Valanciunas early and let him try to work KAT on the block. Towns isn’t the best defender and Valanciunas can take advantage, wear him down and try to get him into foul trouble as he did in the first game.

Same with Ingram, who had 23 shots in the first game but could have taken 40, as he was cooking at times and looked like he could do whatever he wanted.

The Pels can’t rely too heavily on isolation, but if they can get Ingram and JV going again that should open things up for their shooters who will hopefully make the Timberwolves pay this time.

This was not the start the Pelicans wanted but it is far too early to panic, so hopefully the Pels will take better care of the ball, work the matchups that are in their favor and come out of Minnesota with their first win.