13th February - New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder - 23-31

So here it is; the last game before all-star break. We've won 3 in a row (Bulls, Indiana, Blazers) which is very nice, and we have a chance to get even closer to .500 tonight. Before I break down any of the numbers, here's the injury report:

Brandon Ingram (Right Ankle Sprain) is questionable for Thursday's vs OKC

Story: https://t.co/UnX3cP0CTv#Pelicans | @MorrisBartLLC pic.twitter.com/UKz15Y0fTZ

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 12, 2020

Nothing really new; Ingram still questionable. To be honest, I'm tempted to just say sit him: it's the last game before a big long break, if there's any real issue at all, let him start his break early. No need to pressure him in if he's still feeling it. Of course, if he's okay to go, then play him, but don't try and rush anything.

As for this game; Oklahoma City Thunder. They are 32-22, behind yet another fantastic year from all-time great Hall of Famer, Chris Paul. They have gone 17-8 since Christmas. They are only 0.5 games behind Dallas for the 6th seed, which means they could very easily make 6th before the year is out.

OKC has a good offense, 14th in the NBA, and a solid defense (12th) but neither are spectacular. They're a slow team, 23rd in pace. They're 7th in FG% and 4th in FT%, but are pretty mediocre from long range at only 12th. They're bottom 5 in assists, and bottom 10 in rebounds and steals. Part of this is due to pace, of course, but it still represents a problem for them worth taking advantage of, especially when we are such a dominant offensive rebounding team. OKC doesn't beat itself though; they don't turn it over or foul much, falling in the bottom 10 in the league in both stats.

Other players have been good for them (SGA, for example) but the real story is Chris Paul. Averaging 17.5/5/7 in 32 minutes a game, CP3 still has it. What's more, he's been relatively healthy, having played 53 games this year; they've only played 54.

He's shooting ridiculously well from all over; 60.8% TS overall, but that includes a truly stupid 84% at the rim, 52% from the paint, 53% from the short midrange, and 53% from the long midrange too. It's worth noting that only 6% of his FGAs are at-rim attempts, so that 84% efficiency is on extremely low sample size, but still; impressive.

Only 14% of his makes are assisted. He's just self-creating tons and tons of stupidly efficient offense, all the while playmaking for everyone else; he's a +8.2 on/off. Plus, somehow he's still an excellent defender. This is a 34 year old point guard who is barely 6'0 tall, people. What he's doing this year is all-NBA, undoubtedly. He's still top 20 in PIPM, just for added benefit.

That's the run-down, really. We don't necessarily need this one, I wouldn't call it a must win, but it would be great for momentum's sake if we could clean up with a victory tonight before heading into all-star break. 24-31 incoming?

#WBD

Set back game kind of feel tonight. OKC on a losing streak
. They usually have our number.

We haven't had Zion in previous encounters with OKC.

This game is a typical test for our team...
overcoming our own weaknesses ...

Brandon Ingram said his ankle is still a bit sore. He will be a game time decision tonight.

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 13, 2020

Just sit him, man.

Will we finally finish the job against OKC?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spec3333

We haven't had Zion in previous encounters with OKC.

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Or Favors.
They were also missing Zo for one of the games.
BI only played 13 minutes for the 1st game for some reason.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Brandon Ingram said his ankle is still a bit sore. He will be a game time decision tonight.

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 13, 2020

Just sit him, man.

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Yea, I'd sit him, so he can enjoy the ASG.

Gentry said he still doesn’t know about Brandon Ingram’s status.

Said BI has to warmup pregame and a decision will be made then.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 13, 2020

Just sit the dude, Christ almighty.

The game starts in less than 2 hours. If theres enough doubt that we don't know 2 hours out, probably worth just sitting him. Winning this game is not the long term priority.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Gentry said he still doesn’t know about Brandon Ingram’s status.

Said BI has to warmup pregame and a decision will be made then.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 13, 2020

Just sit the dude, Christ almighty.

The game starts in less than 2 hours.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by kinglio21093

Yea, I'd sit him, so he can enjoy the ASG.

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^ Seriously!!!!

Coach trying to get fired b4 the All-Star game? This is the only way it happens. :bah:

Tonight's #Pelicans starters! #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/Wu3RGsMR5W

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 14, 2020

Seems like no Ingram confirmed.

That's the right choice imo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Tonight's #Pelicans starters! #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/Wu3RGsMR5W

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 14, 2020

Seems like no Ingram confirmed.

That's the right choice imo.

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It might be a case of Ingram wanting to play and the staff letting him warm up to see how it feels. But yes, definitely the right call to sit him out.

Coming into tonight, Zion has scored at least 20 points in 5 straight games.

This is the longest streak of 20 point games for a Pelicans rookie in history; the previous longest streak was 4, held by Darren Collison.

Brandon Ingram (right ankle sprain) is out for tonight’s game vs. Oklahoma City.

— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) February 14, 2020

Confirmed

From @ESPNStatsInfo: Heading into tonight, Zion Williamson leads the NBA in 2nd chance PPG (5.2) and 3rd in paint PPG (15.1).

Over the last 20 seasons, the only player to average 5.0 2nd chance PPG and 15.0 paint PPG in the same season is Shaquille O'Neal.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 14, 2020

Favors looked terrible on both of those possessions. Totally lost Adams and then turned it over on the other end.

Zion stays grounded on a Gallinari pump fake and then stays on his toes to prevent the drive; great defense.

Favors then holds Adams and gives up the and-one.

Early game jitters from Favors.

Watch the bench. They are all genuinely having fun with each other.

Offensive board and dunk from Zion.

Seen that a few times this season :hihi:

Jrue gives up a decent look for a great look for Zion. Paint was wide open for the first 10 feet.

Favors fumbles the pass from Jrue and then misses the shot.

In his defense, the pass was a little late, but still not great.

Zion just set a really heavy screen on CP3 lol

Jrue draws the blocking foul

Feel like our defense is gonna be our achilles heel tonight

I will never support the 15 foot turnaround jumper from Lonzo.

I don't know, I haven't checked the numbers, but it feels like he's 2 for 20 on those this season or something :hihi:

Jrue gets the offensive board and drops the nice pocket pass into Favors.