I understand the New Orleans Pelicans are just two games into their season, so I hate to say tonight's game with the Boston Celtics feels like a must-win, but to me, it does. If the Pelicans lost tonight, they fall to 0-3, and in the Western Conference, that might be a start that is nearly impossible to come back from.
After two gut-wrenching losses that included blown leads to the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans should be playing with some major urgency tonight. But so are the Celtics, as they have started 0-3 for the first time since the 2013-14 season. This makes you ask what the Pelicans can do to separate themselves and win this game. Dominate the rebound battle.
After having Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis at the five last season, the Celtics now have a rotation of Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman. That’s no shade to Boston's new big tandem, but it’s a clear drop-off in talent, and it’s shown this season as the Celtics have been a bottom-four rebounding team. All three of their losses this season have come down to not being able to close out defensive possessions because they constantly give up offensive rebounds.
So if the Pelicans want to win tonight, they need to crash that glass and fight hard for every single rebound.
Zion Williamson is in a prime position to feast tonight
Like I previously mentioned, the Celtics front court is weaker than it’s ever been over the last ten seasons, opening the door for Zion Williamson to dominate tonight. To start the year, the Pelicans have faced two elite rim protectors in Victor Wembanyama with the Spurs and Jaren Jackson Jr. with the Grizzlies.
Despite these matchups, they lead the league in the percentage of points scored in the paint, with over 50 percent of their baskets coming from there. A significant reason for this is that Williamson has averaged 27 points per game over the team's first two games and is a problem downhill.
However, Williamsons can’t be the only one trying to take advantage of Boston's weak rim protection. Head coach Willie Green needs to get Trey Murphy, Jordan Poole, and Herb Jones to buy in tonight and do the same. This team can’t afford to settle for jumpers tonight; they must get to and finish at the rim if they want any chance at beating this Celtics group.
Even though I've made it clear that Boston lacks talent in the front court, which the Pelicans can exploit, this is still an extremely experienced, tough team. They still have Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, new additions like Anfernee Simons and Josh Minott, and savvy vets like Chris Boucher. You mix this core group of guys with head coach Joe Mazzulla, and you are looking at a group that’s going to go out and compete each and every night.
So tonight is going to be tough. But if the Pelicans want to get their first win of the season, rebounding and scoring in the paint will be the keys.