November 25th - New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz - 9-7

[Pelicanidae]

Back at it! 😄

🏀: at Jazz
🕣: 8:30 pm CT
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @995WRNO #Pelicans | @SmoothieKing pic.twitter.com/LRgvzcomUU

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 25, 2023

Back to back, we're @ Utah.

Now, Utah are not a good team overall. They're 4-11, have lost 4 in a row, and that includes a loss to the Blazers. But they do have some good players on their roster and you can never underestimate anyone in this league; the Pels have a long history of losing games they 'should' have won because they played down to the level of the competition. The challenge tonight is to keep the intensity of the last 6 games alive.

As of the time of me writing this, we don't have confirmation yet on whether Zion is sitting out, but it's reasonable to expect he will given the way they're strategising so far this season. That said, even without Zion, I think we have a real advantage tonight - it will just be a matter of pressing that advantage. On the off-chance that Zion does play, there really shouldn't be any debate as long as the effort is consistent.

Looking forward to seeing if the Pels keep the momentum up. Process > Results, but the results have been nice recently.

[Mrakar]

Zion is probably not playing and he should not be playing. I just hope we don't come out flat. As you already said we have history of loosing these games and with how tight is everything in West standings we can't allow ourselves loses against bad/tanking teams.

I would start with Hawkins instead of Zion honestly but wouldn't mind if Marshall is there also. We need to use Jonas more in these games. He is playing great in limited minutes this year, especially on offense and we will need his contribution.
Nance showed some signs of life last night, i hope he can build on it today.

Ball movement, limit turnovers, high energy on defense and it is a win for sure. If one of those is missing it will be hard to win a game. NBA is too talented nowdays and off-nights are now loss nights.

[JJackisangry]

These are the games you have to win. They will probably give us the business per usual but we just have to grind it out and make sure we aren’t horribly out worked. That is how you lose against the bad teams.

[As I See It]

Utah is extraordinarily weak defensively yielding 122+ points per game. This would be a matchup made in heaven for #1. A front line matchup of Collins, Markkanen, and Kessler/Olynyk versus BI, #1, and JV should be a mismatch of epic proportions.

But I digress; with his injury history, I would probably sit him, too.

[Pelicanidae]

Jazz Injury Report:

*OUT - Lauri Markkanen (left hamstring soreness)

*OUT - Jordan Clarkson (illness)

*PROBABLE - Walker Kessler (left elbow sprain)

OUT - Josh Christopher (G League)

OUT - Taylor Hendricks (G League)

OUT - Johnny Juzang (G League)

OUT - Micah Potter (G… pic.twitter.com/TdwQAqN9Zd

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 25, 2023

Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen - the Jazz's two leading scorers, accounting for about 41 points a game - are both out tonight.

Pels injury report is due in about an hour, so we'll have final word on Zion and co then. Of course we expect him to be out, but we'll know for sure.

[As I See It]

Jazz Injury Report:

*OUT - Lauri Markkanen (left hamstring soreness)

*OUT - Jordan Clarkson (illness)

*PROBABLE - Walker Kessler (left elbow sprain)

OUT - Josh Christopher (G League)

OUT - Taylor Hendricks (G League)

OUT - Johnny Juzang (G League)

OUT - Micah Potter (G… pic.twitter.com/TdwQAqN9Zd

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 25, 2023

Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen - the Jazz's two leading scorers, accounting for about 41 points a game - are both out tonight.

Pels injury report is due in about an hour, so we'll have final word on Zion and co then. Of course we expect him to be out, but we'll know for sure.

Facing Utah's lineup tonight, I might sit BI, too. j/k He could go off for a 50 cent piece (depending on his minutes).

[luckyman]

Very enticing to sit BI this game given the context. It's not like he also doesn't have injury history.

Then I just feel bad for players like JV. He's past 30 and deserves some rest days more than anyone on this roster.

[JJackisangry]

Some bodies recover much more quickly than others. Some of it is conditioning, some of it is playstyle and some of it is just good old fashioned genetics. Guys that come out and play every night deserve respect. BUT- I don’t think it is a player’s fault (unless they don’t condition themselves properly which I don’t think is the case anymore at least) if their bodies naturally don’t last and handle the abuse and high usage. Hopefully we do what needs to be done to get our guys to the postseason. I’m glad we can count on guys like CJ (punctured lung not included) Jonas and Trey when he comes back to pick up the slack. We should be one of the better back to back teams once we have everyone fit.

[As I See It]

Some bodies recover much more quickly than others. Some of it is conditioning, some of it is playstyle and some of it is just good old fashioned genetics. Guys that come out and play every night deserve respect. BUT- I don’t think it is a player’s fault (unless they don’t condition themselves properly which I don’t think is the case anymore at least) if their bodies naturally don’t last and handle the abuse and high usage. Hopefully we do what needs to be done to get our guys to the postseason. I’m glad we can count on guys like CJ (punctured lung not included) Jonas and Trey when he comes back to pick up the slack. We should be one of the better back to back teams once we have everyone fit.

Are you talking about someone in particular? I don't understand the context.

[Pelicanidae]

Zion Williamson is out tonight against Jazz. Hasn’t played on second night of a back-to-back yet this season.

— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) November 25, 2023

Confirmation.

Not that it was needed, we know that's the strategy they're using for him, but now we know.

Nevertheless, we shouldn't need him to beat a Lauri-less Jazz team. This should be very winnable despite the absence of Zion, CJ, Trey, and Matt Ryan.

[Pelicanidae]

I’m glad we can count on guys like CJ (punctured lung not included) Jonas and Trey when he comes back to pick up the slack. We should be one of the better back to back teams once we have everyone fit.

Really can't wait to have Trey back in particular. He played 79 games last season, and he's the guy (I think Hawk is probably going to get there with experience) who can and will go 8/12 from 3 at a moment's notice.

He had 37 games last year where he hit at least 3 made 3s. Given that he only played 79 games, that's about 47% of his games played. 47% of the time, Trey gives you at least 3 made 3s. And his 3s often come from like, 28 feet out. Dude does not care about toeing the line. Oh yeah and also, if you close out on him hard, he will drive it and dunk it.

What a legend.

[Mrakar]

After that Jazz injury report i think we really need to win this. Just don't go into the game like it is over and we should be fine.

[As I See It]

I’m glad we can count on guys like CJ (punctured lung not included) Jonas and Trey when he comes back to pick up the slack. We should be one of the better back to back teams once we have everyone fit.

NBA basketball is two games in one.

1. The game itself
2. Roster Management

That said, I'm all for moving off of CJ at the trade deadline for an expiring and draft consideration. Maybe Gordon Haywood and a one for CJ and Kira. I think that would get us under the cap for this year, open up a roster spot, provide draft consideration for long term growth, and once Haywood expires at the end of the year, open up dollars for 3M3, Naji, BI, Jonas, and Jose extensions

[JJackisangry]

Really can't wait to have Trey back in particular. He played 79 games last season, and he's the guy (I think Hawk is probably going to get there with experience) who can and will go 8/12 from 3 at a moment's notice.

He had 37 games last year where he hit at least 3 made 3s. Given that he only played 79 games, that's about 47% of his games played. 47% of the time, Trey gives you at least 3 made 3s. And his 3s often come from like, 28 feet out. Dude does not care about toeing the line. Oh yeah and also, if you close out on him hard, he will drive it and dunk it.

What a legend.

Trey was playing like an allstar towards the end. Hopefully he comes back guns blazing after the injury but it will probably take a minute. I think one thing that has helped us is every player in the squad for the most part has worked on their handle. Hawk looks comfortable driving. Dyson has never looked more comfortable getting into the paint and finishing. Trey towards the end started showing playmaking ability and punishing closeouts. We need to be a 3 point threat but we also need to have penetration and protect the ball. I feel like we are making strides in all 3 with the pickups in the offseason and some of the work that has gone into it.

[Pelicanidae]

Trey was playing like an allstar towards the end. Hopefully he comes back guns blazing after the injury but it will probably take a minute. I think one thing that has helped us is every player in the squad for the most part has worked on their handle. Hawk looks comfortable driving. Dyson has never looked more comfortable getting into the paint and finishing. Trey towards the end started showing playmaking ability and punishing closeouts. We need to be a 3 point threat but we also need to have penetration and protect the ball. I feel like we are making strides in all 3 with the pickups in the offseason and some of the work that has gone into it.

I agreed.

For his last 15 games of the year, Trey averaged 22/3/1 on 52/46/90 splits, and he was taking 9 3PAs a game Just ludicrous shooting numbers. Now, I don't expect him to repeat that when he comes back because that's not really something you can just assume will happen again, but 40% on 7 a game is very much within the realms of possibility for him. More wouldn't surprise me, but I just don't want to be presumptuous. And how much of a luxury is it that we can say someone is going to shoot 40% on that kind of volume and have it be a mild prediction?

You also mention protecting the ball: did you know Trey has the lowest TO% in Pelicans franchise history? Mildly surprising, though part of it is that he doesn't really create for others, but you know, neither do most centres and Trey turns it over even less than they do. Dude just doesn't give the ball away, ever. It's kind of fantastic when you consider how perfect the fit is.

And absolutely, Hawkins and Dyson are looking good. No question about that.

[Pelicanidae]

Lineup alert: Jazz will start George, Dunn, Fontecchio, Collins, Yurtseven on Saturday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) November 26, 2023

Not trying to be rude to the Jazz here, and there are players I like here - Keyonte George, John Collins, the prime two - but if this is who they're starting? Come on.

[Pelicanidae]

JV should go off tonight. They have absolutely nothing for him.

[As I See It]

You never assume anything...but it would be nice to shutdown BI, JV, and Herb in the second half.

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Looks like Dany isn’t leaving anything to chance this year, after missing out on Ralph Samson, err Wembanyama last year.

[Pelicanidae]

First five out ��️ pic.twitter.com/cwVkgOBqx0

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 26, 2023

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Gotta get this jersey.

[AussieHornet]

hawk to go off. i hope we smash them and dont take the foot off the pedal. we lost all our games to them last season didnt we? markannen became dirk nowitzki

[Pelicanidae]

Herb with a block and Hawk with a steal already

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Someone is going to score at some point right?

[Pelicanidae]

Welcome to The Turnover Game