Even if it remains fragile, it is the event of the evening in the West: the Pelicans (16v-8d) are leaders of the Western Conference after their victory against the Pistons! It’s their 5th victory in a row, and Zion Williamson’s teammates take advantage of the Suns’ rout against the Celtics to take 1st place. If this leading position is “fragile”, it is quite simply because a small defeat separates the two teams, but also and above all, because on Friday, the Pelicans host the Suns! In case of victory, they will make the break. But in case of defeat, Phoenix (16v-9d) will recover its first position.
But let’s come back to this takeover since it therefore coincides with a series of five victories. It had been more than four years since New Orleans players had won so many games in a row. Back then, the team relied on Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Demarcus Cousins. It’s so far back that Zion Williamson was still in high school!
The 3rd best defense in the NBA
First observation: what impresses this season is that the players have taken a step forward in defense. Just like Williamson, Willie Green’s men no longer focus solely on the attack. In this sector, they remain flamboyant with three players capable of turning between 20 and 30 points per game. It is through defense that the Pelicans are able to compensate for the absence of leaders, like Brandon Ingram at the moment.
The proof in the figures since the Pelicans display the 3rd best defense in the country with 107.6 points conceded per game on 100 possessions. Tonight, they limit the Pistons to 15 points in the 3rd quarter, and they make the necessary “stops” in the “money time” to snatch the victory. “You have to win in a terrible way” assures Willie Green. “When we have done everything we need, we know that we will be able to go into the racket, to finish or to get free throws. »
For Naji Marshall, very good last night with his 17 points, this meeting against the Pistons was perfect to prepare for the shock against the Suns. “I don’t think we’ve played such a physical game this season. In training, as we know each other, we get high. It kinda reminded me of training camp, and that’s good for us. »
An ultra-efficient bench
Like Naji Marshall tonight, the Pelicans bench is one of the team’s strengths. We discovered Jose Alvarado at the end of last season, and he has just planted 38 points against the Nuggets. But in general, the wealth of the workforce makes the difference when the holders have already missed 25 matches. Only Jonas Valanciunas has played all the matches among the starters.
With 37 points on average, the replacements of the Pelicans are in the Top 10 of the most prolific benches. And it is all the more remarkable that certain “jokers” have therefore become holders, such as Trey Murphy III. When Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones are back, the bench will be strengthened again, and the team will be even more formidable.
To give an idea of the effectiveness of the Pelicans bench, you should know that it is 2nd in the NBA in assists, blocks and steals. Elements like Jose Alvarado and Larry Nance Jr. are in the NBA Top 15 ranked +/-. The Pelicans are also the only team to place four players in the Top 15, along with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
We therefore understand better why the Pelicans are making a very good start to the season, and on Friday, we will know if they are able to confirm against the Suns. The two teams have known each other by heart since the playoffs, and the Pelicans will have to be wary of the injured beast since Phoenix took a big spanking last night at home against Boston.
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Zion Williamson | 18 | 32.0 | 59.1 | 27.3 | 72.7 | 2.1 | 4.9 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 23.6 |
| Brandon Ingram | 15 | 32.1 | 47.2 | 46.7 | 86.8 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 20.8 |
| Cj Mccollum | 19 | 34.9 | 39.8 | 33.1 | 80.0 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 17.4 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 23 | 23.1 | 55.5 | 41.7 | 83.1 | 2.6 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 13.4 |
| Trey Murphy III | 21 | 28.4 | 48.2 | 41.1 | 95.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 13.2 |
| Herb Jones | 17 | 28.1 | 44.4 | 28.6 | 74.1 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 10.6 |
| jose alvarado | 23 | 21.2 | 47.2 | 40.4 | 84.0 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 10.0 |
| Larry Nance, Jr. | 21 | 22.2 | 66.1 | 41.2 | 76.0 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 9.0 |
| Naji Marshall | 21 | 20.3 | 41.6 | 32.7 | 79.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 6.9 |
| Devonte Graham | 23 | 16.1 | 37.4 | 39.6 | 78.3 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 5.8 |
| Dyson Daniels | 15 | 18.7 | 50.0 | 40.9 | 64.3 | 0.5 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 5.3 |
| Willy Hernangomez | 10 | 9.9 | 48.6 | 0.0 | 81.8 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 5.2 |
| Garrett Temple | 9 | 7.8 | 40.9 | 38.5 | 75.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.9 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 9 | 7.5 | 18.8 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Dereon Seabron | 2 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
