OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – FEBRUARY 13: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder … [+]
The opening contest of a seven-game collection between the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans is ready to kick off tonight. It will likely be the No. 1 seed Thunder internet hosting the No. 8 seed Pelicans in OKC at Paycom Middle, in entrance of a crowd that hasn’t seen a house playoff recreation since 2019.
Throughout the three contests between these two groups within the common season, Oklahoma Metropolis got here out on prime in two of them. The one matchup that New Orleans received got here within the first two weeks of the season, when the Pelicans got here again from down by 22 factors to get a late victory.
It’s necessary to notice that Zion Williamson will miss not less than the primary 4 video games of this collection with a left hamstring pressure he suffered in a recreation earlier this week. Even with out him within the lineup, it is a high quality Pelicans staff that will probably be on the lookout for revenge after the Thunder eradicated them from the postseason a yr in the past through the NBA’s Play-In Match.
As this collection unfolds, what are a number of the key issue that would finally make the distinction in who comes out on prime?
Tempo of Play
Oklahoma Metropolis performs directly of the quickest paces in your entire NBA, which finally means extra possessions happen in a given recreation. Conversely, the Pelicans have performed at a a lot slower tempo total this season, sitting within the again half of the league by way of each tempo and complete possessions.
Consequently, the Pelicans don’t take many photographs relative to a staff just like the Thunder. New Orleans is twenty third within the NBA in shot makes an attempt per recreation total and twenty fourth in 3-point tries per contest. With that in thoughts, the Pelicans make their photographs depend, taking pictures at a really spectacular clip from everywhere in the ground. This isn’t a run-and-gun offense, however it’s an environment friendly one.
One factor to observe for on this collection is which staff is ready to dictate the tempo of play. If it’s a quick recreation, OKC might need a bonus. But when New Orleans can sluggish issues down, it could possibly be the alternative.
Particular person Defensive Assignments
New Orleans is a really balanced staff, and one of many few on this league that was roughly within the prime 10 in each offensive and defensive ranking through the common season. The defensive aspect of the ball is the place the Pelicans thrive, boasting the sixth-best protection within the NBA so far.
That is pushed by not solely nice staff protection and efficient schemes, but in addition by the spectacular particular person defenders on the roster. Most notably, Herb Jones is ready to change the sport fully on that finish. When who has been in a position to decelerate Thunder celebrity Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the previous two seasons, maybe no one is healthier than Jones. Moreover, Jose Alvarado is a pest that may be disruptive on protection whereas Trey Murphy III boasts size and flexibility as a defender.
Consequently, count on Oklahoma Metropolis to modify up offensive schemes recurrently all through this collection in try to dictate how that state of affairs performs out. If slowing down Gilgeous-Alexander is the point of interest of New Orleans’ recreation plan, the complimentary items round him might want to step up and contribute. Count on Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey and Aaron Wiggins to play key offensive roles at factors on this collection.
Middle Battle
Throughout the three matchups between New Orleans and OKC this season, the battle of facilities has been an attention-grabbing one. Whereas the Thunder roll out a contemporary, slender heart in Chet Holmgren who areas the ground and operates on the perimeter, the Pelicans begin a powerful large in Jonas Valanciunas, who performs a way more conventional, bodily fashion and does his harm close to the rim.
If Valanciunas is ready to dominate the paint, pull down a excessive variety of rebounds and keep on the ground, it might imply hassle for Oklahoma Metropolis. The Thunder lacks vital dimension and doesn’t essentially have a participant that possesses the dimensions to match him.
It will likely be within the Thunder’s favor to drive the Pelicans to play small and preserve Valanciunas on the bench. Even then, Larry Nance Jr. has confirmed to be an efficient small ball heart for New Orleans of late, so keep watch over him on this collection.
Perimeter Capturing
Oklahoma Metropolis and New Orleans completed the common season as the primary and fourth most effective 3-point taking pictures groups within the league respectively. Moreover, whereas each of those squads knock down their photographs from past the arc at a excessive price, neither takes many.
The Thunder tried 34.2 (sixteenth in NBA) triples per recreation within the common season, which is simply barely greater than the 32.6 (twenty fourth) from the Pelicans. As this collection takes place, there will probably be quite a few instances through which the battle from past the arc makes the distinction. Whether or not this turns right into a shootout or not, changing on the 3-point makes an attempt taken will probably be on the prime of each groups’ priorities.
The winner of this collection will transfer on to play both the LA Clippers or Dallas Mavericks, relying on who comes out on prime in that collection. Within the meantime, count on this collection between the Thunder and Pelicans to be a aggressive one, even with Williamson lacking time.
