We're 6-12 and we're going on the road again, this time to face OKC (for the second time this season) and hope to get back to a win. After winning 4 of 5 to get back to pretty much .500, we've lost 3 down the drain. Our DRTG had improved to 24th in the NBA from a season low of 29th, and it's fallen back to 28th after several rough games. Last time out, against LA, was actually a mostly solid game aside from some janky lineups and end-of-game poor choices, so hopefully that's a sign that we're on the way back up.
Injury report for tonight:Lonzo Ball (Stomach Virus) and Derrick Favors (Personal Reasons) are listed as OUT for Friday's game at OKC
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 28, 2019
Story: https://t.co/Tx8AWLfPxW pic.twitter.com/DegBfwaHko
So basically, same as last time out. No Ball, no Favors. Just a note: Zion should be back in the next few weeks, so really it's all just a game of where, rather than when. Would be cool for the fans if he made his debut at home, imo.
Anyway, back to this specific game. We're 6-12, we're taking on the 6-11 Thunder. We win tonight, we take over them again in the standings and continue the slow march back up to .500; we've had the most difficult schedule in the NBA so far, and aside from ATL, no other team really comes close, so we need to take advantage of relatively soft games like this when they come along.
The Thunder are currently the NBA's 20th ranked offense, and the 14th ranked defense. They have lost 4 of their last 5, and 6 of their last 8. They're ranked 25th in total rebounding, and 25th in assists per game. 14th in FG% and 16th in 3pt%, they're very mediocre in a lot of ways. They're last in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage, which is never good for them; meanwhile, we're the 4th best offensive rebounding team in the NBA. Essentially what I'm saying here is that we should take advantage where we can; crash the offensive glass, keep the ball moving, and try to actually play defense against a fairly linear and uninspiring offense. This should be a softball for our defense to try and get back into rhythm: teams which play ball-dominant guards, don't pass a ton, and aren't massively efficient from anywhere are a good opportunity to make things happen on defense and start some momentum back up.
Otherwise, there's not too much to say. They're mostly healthy. We're not that healthier but healthier than we've been in general. Let's go out there and do our best to pick up a win again. #WBD