Game 2 is an issue of space for the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are a team that likes to run their starting lineup big. With Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones at 6-foot-8,  and Jonas Valanciunas and Jaxson Hayes at 6-foot-11, this is not a traditional lineup.

The Pelicans are playing big man basketball in a league that is far more focused on the perimeter, which has it’s advantages but can also cause some problems.

The Pelicans were able to handily win the rebounding battle, but their inability to space the floor on offense led to them scoring just 34 points in the first half in their game 1 loss to the Suns.

The Pels only have one high-volume 3-point shooter in the starting lineup, which can cause some spacing issues, as Herb Jones and Jaxson Hayes aren’t enough of a threat to draw defenders out of the paint.

The Suns were able to clog the paint and and force the Pels to take tough, contested shots, a big reason why the Pelicans shot 24 percent in the first quarter on Sunday.

There was no off-ball movement with Herb Jones standing in the corner waiting for a corner three and Jaxson Hayes parked on the wing. Their defenders can sag into the lane, which makes it tougher for Brandon Ingram to find room in the mid-range.

The Pelicans will need to utilize more cuts to the rim from Jones and Hayes, who would at least keep their defenders occupied and hopefully create some more space for Ingram and CJ McCollum.

Willie Green may have to make some adjustments in his rotation to create space with guys like Jose Alvarado, who can break down a defense and Trey Murphy III, who is a threat from 3-point range.

There will need to be adjustments on offense and is starts with movement off the ball and more space for the scorers.