Despite their recent win over the Utah Jazz, it’s no secret that the New Orleans Pelicans have a clutch problem. They sit seventh in the West, deep in the mix in a bloodbath Western Conference. Eight of the Pelicans’ 14 losses have come in close games where their play in the clutch sputtered.
So, why can’t the Pelicans find a consistent rhythm late in the fourth quarter?
With a -12 net rating, the Pelicans place 24th in clutch time success. Their clutch defense has been pedestrian. Though Ja Morant recently carved up the Pelicans in his first game back from suspension, the clutch defense sits toward the middle of the league. Stars make big plays in the clutch, regardless of defensive activity.
Offense comprises most of New Orleans’ problems in the clutch, as their 100 offensive rating is the fifth lowest of any team this season. Notably, the Pelicans turn the ball over in the clutch more than any other team in the league, coughing up the ball on a staggering 20.2% of their clutch possessions.
Like many other teams, New Orleans can go away from their sets when the clock runs low, relying on their stars to make plays. This is an inconsistent strategy, though, even with a star-shotmaker like Brandon Ingram. Defenses lock in and load up. They zone in on the on-ball creator and New Orleans hasn’t found reliable counters.
Zion Williamson’s struggles down the stretch only exacerbate New Orleans’ fourth-quarter woes. In 10 clutch games, Williamson has taken 18 total shots on a meager 49.8% true shooting. The Pelicans revert to hero ball too often in these moments and haven’t adapted to teams loading up on Williamson.
In past seasons, Zion carved up aggressive defenses sending bodies at him on drives. However this year, he hasn’t been able to do that consistently. Refs swallow their whistles and plays that normally result in free throws end in turnovers and misses. The key, as it is for offense in general, is involving your stars together. Brandon Ingram commands respect from the elbows, especially late in games. Williamson could lean more into cutting, rebounding and screening to impose himself differently.
Despite their struggles, I’m not worried about the Pelicans down the stretch. They have Brandon Ingram, one of the league’s great difficult-shotmakers. Given Ingram’s elite isolation scoring, they’re due for some positive regression in the clutch and will play more close games soon. The stars finding their rhythm in the clutch will help the Pelicans ascend to the top of the west.
Written by Ben Pfeifer
For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.
READ MORE
- Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Pelicans Coaches Must Do Better to Reverse Late-Game Woes
- Pelicans Start 5-Game Home Stand With Battle Against Sputtering Rockets
- Cavalier Approach Must Be Avoided For Pelicans to Leave Cleveland With a Win
- Jordan Hawkins’ Flight Path Hasn’t Been Smooth, But He’s Still Ascending
- Pelicans Return Home With Chance to Continue Winning Ways Versus Ja, Grizzlies
- New Orleans Pelicans’ Attack Ramps Up; Long-Range Shooting Spike May Be Here to Stay
- Pelicans Begin 3-Game Road Trip Against Woeful Wizards
- Zion, Pelicans Can Make Some Adjustments To Max Out Their Max Player
- Pelicans Return From Vegas Hoping to Avoid Hangover Versus Timberwolves
I noticed Zions not going to the line as much. Would you say he’s less explosive/aggressive than he was a few years ago?