New Orleans Pelicans Should Dominate An Memphis Grizzlies Team Without Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane And On 8-Game Skid
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The New Orleans Pelicans (31-22) end their road trip in Memphis against the injury-riddled Grizzlies (18-35) Monday night. Memphis currently has the longest losing streak in the NBA at eight games, mainly due to a rash of injuries that has derailed their season.
Star point guard Ja Morant (shoulder) is out for the season, while forwards Desmond Bane (knee) and Marcus Smart (finger) are out for multiple weeks.
Memphis' offense struggles mightily without their top scorers. They are dead last in the league in points per game (107.1) and field goal percentage (43.9%). Their bread and butter is the three-point shot, where they are Top 10 in the league in three-point attempts and makes.
New Orleans is No. 1 in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage. Monday night's game may very well come down to who plays to their strength in three-point shooting and defense. The Pelicans are +6 from beyond the arc this season against the Grizz.
Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots as New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
After missing Saturday night's victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, Zion Williamson is again questionable with his lingering foot injury. New Orleans likely kept him out as a precaution on a back-to-back game against the Blazers.
If Williamson can't go, the Pelicans will rely on Jonas Valanciunas to be the enforcer inside. Jonas is averaging a double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) in the three games versus the Grizzlies this season. Jonas is top 10 in the NBA in double-doubles as analytics from Sweepstakes Casino Man show Valanciunas is among the best big men in the league.
Operating in the middle won't come easy for New Orleans with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson, Jr. operating those spaces. Jackson, Jr. leads Memphis in blocked shots this year while also averaging a career-high 22 points per game.
Dec 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts to not getting a foul call on Memphis Grizzlies forward David Roddy (21) during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts to not getting a foul call on Memphis Grizzlies forward David Roddy (21) during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
The Grizzlies are also getting support from their young players, such as rookie GG Jackson. He recently broke Kobe Bryant's record for most points scored off the bench by a player under 20. Jackson is just 19 years of age.
New Orleans is hitting its stride before the All-Star break. A victory on Monday night puts them ten games over .500 for the first time since 2018. To do so, New Orleans will need to win at a place they haven't had much recent success.
The Pelicans are losers of five of their last six games in Memphis. New Orleans will need a strong game from their stars Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum to remain focused against a young but injured Grizzlies team.
Once the Pelicans complete the game against the Grizzlies, they return home to battle the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Afterward, they get much-needed time off for the All-Star break before resuming play on February 22 against the Houston Rockets.
