Opponent Scouting: New Orleans Pelicans. (25-17)
Tonight at 7:00pm EST the Detroit Pistons will be hosting the Pelicans of New Orleans in Detroit. Both teams are on one day of rest with the Pistons having beaten the Timberwolves on Wednesday while the Pellies lost to the Celtics.
The Them:
The Pelicans were on pace to be genuine contenders. Zion Williamson was happy and healthy, the pieces around him were effective and made sense but then the injury but arrived. Brandon Ingram has been out since late November, and Zion got hurt a little over a week ago and has at least 2 more weeks on the sideline. They have not completely fallen apart since Zion got hurt but they are still sliding (which includes a couple of games before he went down). They come into the game with the 6th-ranked offense and 7th-ranked defense, a testament to just how well-rounded the squad had been.
With the injury situation as it is, CJ McCollum is now the #1 guy, since arriving in New Orleans he has not missed a beat and is averaging nearly 22 points per game on excellent shooting and remains an underappreciated facilitator as he dishes nearly 6 assists per game as well. Long-time Piston’s killer Jonas Valanciunas is the starting center, he is still huge on defense and skilled on offense. Trey Murphy is a 2nd year player who’s a big wing at 6’9 while shooting over 40% from deep on pretty high volume, Naji Marshall is a 3rd year guy who’s also a big wing although he hasn’t shot great he’s still capable offensively. Dyson Daniels is a rookie who rounds out the “young big wings who shoot and stuff” at 6’9 and 36% from deep.
Off the bench, Jose Alvarado has come down a bit from his peak dismantling of Chris Paul last postseason but is still a pest guarding opposing point-guards and is capable enough offensively. Larry Nance remains a superb defensive presence and great connective player offensively with smart screens and passes and a freak athlete who finishes well in the paint. Devonte Graham is an undersized guard who likes to shoot but his role has been a bit diminished this season. Jaxon hayes is 6’11 and jumps very high, its year 4 and he never really has developed into anything other than a good athlete but if you lose him rolling to the basket he can become a problem quickly.
This Pelicans team is still really young, but they have enough good vets sprinkled into the rotation to elevate them and allow the young guys to thrive. Without Ingram and Williamson, they are diminished, Zion might be the scariest opposing player in the league, but they are far from done for. They still have a tent-pole offensive player in McCollum and plenty of effective supporting players, everyone is doing a bit more than is probably ideal but they can still do it.
Matchups to watch:
Pistons vs. Valanciunas: Wierd thing to open with but Duren is listed as out and Stewart is still listed as questionable. Noel will make a good go of it but Casey still wants to play him like 20 minutes only. JV is the type of dude who will eat small defenders or a center who’s afraid to foul alive if given the chance. Also a really good rebounder.
Hayes vs. McCollum: Probably the best head-to-head matchup of the night. Hayes is obviously not on McCollums level but if he brings it on defense he can level the playing field. Hayes showed in their last matchup that his size gives McCollum fits.
Saddiq vs. Following it up: Had a good game. I’m not going to give into hope until he strings a few together at this point. So lets make it two tonight.
Jaden Ivey vs. Making the right call: The Pelicans are a good defensive team and JV is a capable paint protector but he isn’t that mobile. If he’s fully planted at the rim it isn’t a great idea to challenge him but if he’s even a couple steps too far out Ivey has the speed to burn him. If Ivey picks his spots between driving and shooting he could have a big game. If he picks the wrongs spots it could be a tough night.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Pelicans are bullying the Pistons inside.
Killian picks up a couple of early fouls
The Pistons are trying to have Kevin Knox man up Valanciunas.
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Hayes is putting clamps on McCollum
Bojan and Saddiq are hot from deep again
Ivey is getting easy looks from all over the floor
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
Hayes outplays McCollum
The Pellies bench gives a big lift to New Orleans
Nerlens has another good performance
The Pistons have a team effort with better defense guide them to close victory
Pistons 121 - Pellies 117.