January 3rd - New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves - 20-14

[Pelicanidae]

See you tonight🙌

🏀 at Timberwolves
🕖 7 pm CT
📺 @BallySportsNO
📻 @995WRNO #Pelicans | @SmoothieKing pic.twitter.com/5NRcGL3yHK

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 3, 2024

After a few successful games to start the year in New Orleans, we are once again on the road. This time, against the 24-8 first seed Timberwolves. We're currently 2-1 against them on the season, but they are a very good team when healthy so we cannot rest on our laurels.

Frankly, this is one of those games where I'm more interested in process than results. Of course, a win is the optimal result and I want that, but given the circumstances - who it's against, when etc - a loss would not be horrific as long as the effort is still there. I'm just hoping the team shows up.

Looking forward to this one and seeing if the team can keep the momentum against a step up in competition.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

The Pels are 1-2 against them. They lost by one at home.

[donato]

We're 7 point underdogs, which is kind of a lot, but totally understandable given we are on a back to back, they are #1, they are great at home, etc.

Expect a loss, hope for a win.

Any word yet on Trey's availability?

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Apparently Zion isn't playing and Trey is questionable.

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Apparently Zion isn't playing and Trey is questionable.

Where did you hear that Zion was out?

[Pelicanidae]

Where did you hear that Zion was out?

Beats me, he's not on the injury report and none of the usual injury aggregators have mentioned it. As far as I know, Zion is still good to go.

[Pelicanidae]

Just to clarify, here's the injury report:

https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/in...k-at-minnesota

The only players listed are

- Trey Murphy (questionable) for left knee soreness
- EJ Liddell (G League)
- Matt Ryan (out, right elbow surgery)

That's it.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Where did you hear that Zion was out?

Pels talk

[Pelicanidae]

Good start, both BI and Zion seem to be in fine scoring form early.

Zion in particular always seems to try to murder Gobert

[Pelicanidae]

Gotta withstand the runs. They're a good team, can't expect a lead that small to last.

[Pelicanidae]

Up after a quarter, some good play on both ends there. Keep it up.

Love the BI/JV two man game, and Zion's just killing it right now as well

[hornetsrebirth]

Nice pocket pass by Alvarado to find Zion in the paint. Zion engaged on defense and almost gets a steal. Not fair to Naji to leave him on Ant with a clear out

[Pelicanidae]

Nice pocket pass by Alvarado to find Zion in the paint. Zion engaged on defense and almost gets a steal. Not fair to Naji to leave him on Ant with a clear out

Zion was defending KAT earlier well and they called a block on it, moments after they no-called Ant's blatant reaching. Annoying, but good to see the effort from Zion nonetheless.

[hornetsrebirth]

Jose has such good hands on defense. He is able to get stops against big guys driving at him because he can get a hand on the ball when most people cant

[granola]

Looking great. Up by 10. Keep it up guys

[hornetsrebirth]

Ingram has stepped his game up to an even higher level lately. He's a beast

[granola]

Excellent half against a good team on the road

[hornetsrebirth]

Willie got T'd up for going nuts on the refs after no foul call on a Zion drive

[Pelicanidae]

Can't really ask for much more than that. Up 13 at the half against the 1 seed on the road. BI and Zion both performing well, winning the rebound battle, 60/42/82 splits are excellent and the defensive effort has been there.

Herb's been on a tear from 3 these last two games

[As I See It]

Forget about the box score; Dyson played great!!

It's like I always say....

DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE!!!

[Pelicanidae]

Willie got T'd up for going nuts on the refs after no foul call on a Zion drive

As should happen at least once a game tbh

[6warddude]

second half, just give the ball to zion and get out the way...the fouls should be coming more for him in the second half...

[RobertM320]

Can't really ask for much more than that. Up 13 at the half against the 1 seed on the road. BI and Zion both performing well, winning the rebound battle, 60/42/82 splits are excellent and the defensive effort has been there.

Herb's been on a tear from 3 these last two games

You left out, on the second night of a back to back.

[AussieHornet]

so how does a foul not get called when the opposition deliberately foul Zion?

[donato]

Pels talk

I don't know what that is, but maybe reevaluate sources.