April 12th - New Orleans Pelicans VS Sacramento Kings - 24-29

Big win last night, now we're back at home for #PelicansGameday!

🏀 vs. Sacramento
🕗 8 p.m. CT
📺 @BallySportsNO
📻 100.3 FM @ESPNRadioNOLA @SmoothieKing | #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/z9o1oIL4sw

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 12, 2021

After a close win last game led by lots of efficient scoring from Zion and Ingram and capped off with a great all-around performance from Naji Marshall (A lovely sight to see) we play again tonight against the Sacramento Kings, who are 22-31 right now.

Sacramento is the league's worst defense and only a middling offense (12th in the league) and have lost 6 straight games including matchups against the Spurs, Pistons, and Wolves; it's not looking pretty for them right now.

Last game was not pretty overall. Defense was woeful from the stars, and the offense degenerated at times into a game of taking turns to isolate, which isn't pleasant at all. That said, we did pull off a win, the defense in the second half was better though still not great, and there were some good signs of team play here and there. If we can channel more of that second half and less of that first half, we should be able to pick up a win tonight.

Let's see what happens: do we play down to Sacramento, or do we try and pick up a W?

Injury report will be added to the thread when it's posted.

Have we won on a home/away back to back yet this season? Have we beaten Alvin Gentry yet this season?

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Have we won on a home/away back to back yet this season? Have we beaten Alvin Gentry yet this season?

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If we win tonight... It tie our longest winning streak of the season at 3.

Three #Pelicans players remain out for tonight’s game vs. Sacramento ⤵️ @SmoothieKing | #WontBowDown https://t.co/MafYCKu6dM

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 12, 2021

Injury report's in:

- NAW (Out)
- Lonzo (Out)
- Hart (Out)

Game 13 of the year for Lonzo missed

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Three #Pelicans players remain out for tonight’s game vs. Sacramento ⤵️ @SmoothieKing | #WontBowDown https://t.co/MafYCKu6dM

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 12, 2021

Injury report's in:

- NAW (Out)
- Lonzo (Out)
- Hart (Out)

Game 13 of the year for Lonzo missed

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What are the injuries again?

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Have we won on a home/away back to back yet this season? Have we beaten Alvin Gentry yet this season?

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I think we squeaked a win out in our first game against Sacramento.

I hope Kira bounces back this game. I love watching him play. I didn't love watching his defense yesterday though.

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Originally Posted by Freyfamilyreuni

I hope Kira bounces back this game. I love watching him play. I didn't love watching his defense yesterday though.

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His defense has not been good most of the season. I expect they will work on that in the offseason.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

His defense has not been good most of the season. I expect they will work on that in the offseason.

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I think his effort and general movement on defense is good but he's just so weak that literally anyone can go right through him right now without resistance. Hugely detrimental at the point of attack; it's why he's been a lot better off ball and in the passing lanes.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I think his effort and general movement on defense is good but he's just so weak that literally anyone can go right through him right now without resistance. Hugely detrimental at the point of attack; it's why he's been a lot better off ball and in the passing lanes.

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This is correct, when he puts on a little weight and strength I think he’ll be a good defender

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I think his effort and general movement on defense is good but he's just so weak that literally anyone can go right through him right now without resistance. Hugely detrimental at the point of attack; it's why he's been a lot better off ball and in the passing lanes.

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Yeah, he needs to add strength in the offseason.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

His defense has not been good most of the season. I expect they will work on that in the offseason.

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I remember when CP3 was a rookie. I modestly said he would be elite from the start.

Kira? Not so much.

I do see him as a 10 year rotation player in this league much like former Pelican First Rounder, Darren Collison, which would be fine for a 13th pick. Beyond that, I just won't drink the Kool Aid, yet.

Kira's defensive issues have to had anything to do with lack of strength. He's contested plenty shots including shots in the paint. He's also been good off ball.

His problem yesterday was apparently not reading the scouting report and trying to fight over screens on non shooters. When you fight over screens, you and your teammate need to be on the same page. He's fighting over screens where the big is expecting him to go under.

Otherwise his defense hasn't been poor at all.

Lmao at the Kings' pre-game status lineup listing Isaiah Thomas's averages after two games as factor of note

SVG after last game: Naji is the MVP of the game, his energy on both ends was super infectious, he deserves the game ball, absolute winner
SVG this game: Naji is benched and we're starting Iwundu

....
wot

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

SVG after last game: Naji is the MVP of the game, his energy on both ends was super infectious, he deserves the game ball, absolute winner
SVG this game: Naji is benched and we're starting Iwundu

....
wot

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When Bledsoe goes out, who you going to guard Fox with Kira/Thomas or Marshall?

Really, Bledsoe?

Bledsoe has 3 turnovers in 2 minutes

lol bledsoe

Ingram's shot looks nice early here

Fugly start!!

Kings doing an awful lot of grabbing with no calls doing on

This might be a game where I use JAXSON and H'Gomez way more than Adams.

These turnovers are killing me. Why is SVG not getting into these players faces?

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Originally Posted by Chris

These turnovers are killing me. Why is SVG not getting into these players faces?

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All 5 of our turnovers are from Bledsoe and Iwundu. What's he supposed to do? ''Bledsoe, care more!'' Like c'mon

Was everybody like me saying "Can't wait for Bledsoe to go to the bench"? lol!

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Originally Posted by sterlr

Was everybody like me saying "Can't wait for Bledsoe to go to the bench"? lol!

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Only every game

Jax has 3 steals already. Hands have just been everywhere.

Jax's catch radius is kind of mental. Just such an impressive athlete in so many ways

Great passes from Johnson. Love his game.

Love seeing the confidence in that 3 for Kira

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Originally Posted by Chris

Great passes from Johnson. Love his game.

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Yeah, JJ, I agree, we should have just reached a settlement with you and let you walk.

LMAO!!

By the way, JJ, I see you came out of your crib tonight to play!!

THis is the only true JJ.

Until he says something untowards about the team or New Orleans.

The Kira-Naji-JJ-Zion-Jax lineup is Extremely Powerful and filled with Great Vibes

I cannot communicate how fun it is that Jax is taking these threes now. He missed that one but the fact that he's willing is huge: willingness to take those shots is the first step towards making them.

I like Point Brandon!! If he could do the work defensively, I'd move him to the 2.

Great pocket pass from BI and a monster finish from Jax.

BI looking real sprightly tonight

Halftime, we're up 68-45

Ingram: 18/3/4 on 6/10 shooting - 0 turnovers, 2 fouls
Zion: 17/3/2 on 8/12 shooting - 1 turnover, 1 foul

Off the bench

Kira: 7pts, 2asts on 3/5 shooting
Jax: 6pts, 7rbds, 3stls on 3/5 shooting

Naji and Wes’s effort have been noted. I think it helps big time to have energy guys in these games. I particularly like how aggressive Naji is and he seems like he is at least semi competent offensively

''The Kings are the worst defensive team in the league? C'mon it can't be that bad!''

The Kings:

POINT ZION BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE@PelicansNBA | #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/ZPWPrQlymJ

— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) April 13, 2021

Kings are probably lucky they're not down more. They're 6.7% from 3 (1-15) and have been outrebounded 31-14

All we want is for them to play like this against all opponents, all defensive and offensive schemes thrown at us, at home or away, back-to-back or rested and regardless of injuries to whatever players. Is that too much to ask?

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Originally Posted by johnpagenola

All we want is for them to play like this against all opponents, all defensive and offensive schemes thrown at us, at home or away, back-to-back or rested and regardless of injuries to whatever players. Is that too much to ask?

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It’s pretty obvious you see the difference between asking and receiving... ��

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Originally Posted by RobertM320

Kings are probably lucky they're not down more. They're 6.7% from 3 (1-15) and have been outrebounded 31-14

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Helps them that we're only shooting about 30% from 3 ourselves (4/13) and have 8 turnovers to their 5, most of which were live ball

Iwundu with the rollerskate turnaround defense

Sometimes Bledsoe looks so confused and undecided when he drives to the rim.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Iwundu with the rollerskate turnaround defense

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We've seen that kind of defense before, huh?

Fun game ��

Everyone looks so out of sync right now.