February 2nd - New Orleans Pelicans @ San Antonio Spurs - 27-21

[Pelicanidae]

Get up! It's Gameday!

🏀: vs Spurs
🕖: 7:00 pm CT
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @995WRNO#Pelicans | @SmoothieKing pic.twitter.com/0QkeMuxwWu

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 2, 2024

Pelicans managed a win last game despite missing two starters on the road. Tonight they take on the San Antonio Spurs with those same starters still questionable, and Larry Nance alongside them.

The Spurs are awful we all know that. 10-38 record, bottom 6 in both Offense and Defensive Rating, the second worst 3PT% team in the league, the second worst FTA team in the league, bottom 10 in rebounding, and they're only middle of the pack from inside the arc (16th in volume, 18th in %age).

That said, they have looked slightly better recently, winning 3 of their 10 victories in their last 7 games and that includes scraping a win over Minnesota, who still currently sit as the first seed in the West.

Of course, they also lost to Washington and the Hornets in that stretch and their other two wins came over Washington and Portland, so it's not that impressive, but still - sometimes momentum carries and teams start to get a feel for winning. Missing multiple heavy minutes guys, the Pelicans cannot afford to take this one easy.

In fact, the Pelicans can't afford to take anything easy. We're in a fairly precarious position right now: slipping down to the 7th seed due to recent losses, we're currently in danger of looking at yet another play-in berth. Frankly, I think we all agree that's not good enough at this position. We're entering a slightly easier stretch of the season, at least when it comes to opponents, so even though we're on the road a lot right now this is the time where it's imperative to pick up some wins. You simply cannot lose to the Spurs at this point in the season if you're really serious on building with this team.

Let's see if they can do it.

[RobertM320]

If they want to know whether or not they can take it easy tonight, all they have to do is look at the result of last night Lakers-Celtics game. You can't take ANY NBA team for granted.

[Mrakar]

Even the Pels shouldn't be able to lose this one.

[6warddude]

If they want to know whether or not they can take it easy tonight, all they have to do is look at the result of last night Lakers-Celtics game. You can't take ANY NBA team for granted.

yeah, the lakers d squad took care of business against boston....

im going out and enjoy the parades tonight on this game..

[donato]

Zion is playing.

[neworleanshoo]

Even the Pels shouldn't be able to lose this one.

Optimism reigns!

[hornetsrebirth]

Zion got down the floor quick and buried himself in the paint, thats the hustling and working off ball that i want to see! when he catches the ball that deep there is nothing stopping him

[donato]

Somebody tell CJ he can pass the ball sometimes.

[Fedupfan]

This team sure could use a coach or something.

[hornetsrebirth]

Pels should find ways to get TM3 some more dunks. He can soar, and his 3 ball has not been falling. Let him get some dunks and maybe the 3 will follow

[Mrakar]

No energy? Put ********ing Jose Alvarado in! Is coaching suposed to be that hard?

[Fedupfan]

No energy? Put ********ing Jose Alvarado in! Is coaching suposed to be that hard?

To this guy it’s extremely hard. He struggles very badly to even look somewhat like he knows what he’s doing.

[Fedupfan]

Idc what anyone says. This lineup right here is awful.

[superstar7th]

Trey looks bad . Seems like he is thinking way too much.

[Mrakar]

Great half by Willie!

[donato]

Trey looks bad . Seems like he is thinking way too much.

Really questioning how much $$ we're going to be committing to him soon, and whether it's worth it. If a good opportunity comes at the deadline, nobody is "untouchable" to me. Everyone has a price.

[IVAN_NOH]

What about some defense, on vassell, maybe. Tm3 can go elsewhere.

[Mrakar]

I think this exactly kind of game where you should burry Jose on the bench. No energy, no defense, 3pt shot not falling, why would you need guy like him?

The willie special!

[Fedupfan]

This dude can’t get his damn team motivated for ********.

[djrnno]

When a team is playing lackadaisically, and sloppy making lazy passes. It is TOTALLY and 100% on the HC. It's his job to motivate and make then get out of it. WG is just a poor coach with absolutely NO motivational skills. We will NEVER get over the hump with him as HC. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN . I'll lay $$$$$$$$$$ on it

[Fedupfan]

Good response there. I still can’t understand how they can never come out of halftime with any energy.

[hornetsrebirth]

Jose - Cj - Dyson - Ingram on the floor together actually worked well. interesting

[hornetsrebirth]

Lance being out has the Pelicans playing small minutes with Zion as the big... and its kind of working.

[hornetsrebirth]

Zion looked like he was about to swing on the ref who missed a super obvious foul

[hornetsrebirth]

Naji and Trey are giving us nothing. Hawkins please