The New Orleans Pelicans open Year Five of the Zion Williamson Era on the road against their Southwest Division rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies.
New Orleans decided not to make any major moves in the offseason, maintaining the core of a team that won 42 games last season, the most for the franchise since 2017-18.
However, the way the season ended, with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round of the Play-in tournament, left a very sour taste in the mouths of Pelicans fans.
The last five years have been a roller coaster of highlight plays, losing streaks, injuries, and fleeting moments of brilliance. This season brings the Pelicans to another crossroad. Talent is no longer enough to maintain the interest of the fan base or the league at large. New Orleans has to win, and it has to win now.
The Pels begin their journey at the FedEx Forum, where they have lost their last five in a row.
Memphis was one of the NBA’s best teams at home last season, finishing 35-6. New Orleans finished tied for 20th in road wins with 15.
But these are not the teams that split last season’s series. While the Pelicans have their starting lineup together, their depth has been compromised with the loss of burgeoning star and sharpshooter Trey Murphy III, as well as defensive sparkplugs Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall.
The Grizzlies have depth, but will enter the game without their superstar Ja Morant and the bulk of its frontcourt.
Keys to Victory
Williamson had his issues against the Memphis bigs last season, but he and Jonas Valanciunas should present a strong advantage for the Pelicans in the paint.
Getting production down low will be a major point of emphasis, especially with New Orleans still learning the finer points of James Borrego’s offense. The Pels will have to control the interior and the glass on both ends in order to pull out a win.
The Pelicans finished sixth in the NBA in defensive rating last season, in large part due to their ability to contest the three-pointer and create turnovers. The Grizzlies are a good, but not great, shooting team from distance, converting 35.1% of their attempts last season.
New Orleans must force Memphis into taking difficult shots and then turn those long rebounds into transition opportunities. There will be mistakes early in the season, so creating easy scoring chances has to be a priority.
The Pelicans excelled in two areas offensively last season; offensive rebounding and getting to the free throw line. They should have their chances to do both against Memphis.
Ultimately, this game will be decided by effort. A complete 48 minute effort from the Pelicans has been something head coach Willie Green hasn’t seen enough of during his tenure.
IF the Pelicans are finally going to live up to their potential this season, it has to become a far more common occurrence.
Probable Starting Lineups
| New Orleans Pelicans (vs MEM last season) | Memphis Grizzlies (vs NOP last season) |
| G – CJ McCollum (23.7 pts, 48.3 3P%) | G – Marcus Smart (n/a) |
| G – Brandon Ingram (17.0 pts, 6.0 ast) | G – Desmond Bane (21.0 pts, 5.5 reb) |
| F – Herbert Jones (15.5 pts, 6.5 reb) | F – Ziaire Williams (n/a) |
| F – Zion Williamson (17.0 pts, 42.9 FG%) | F – Xavier Tillman Sr. (2.0 pts, 1.0 reb) |
| C – Jonas Valanciunas (4.0 pts, 4.5 reb) | C – Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.0 pts, 6.3 reb) |
Inactives
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (right ankle sprain), Naji Marshall (right knee contusion), Trey Murphy III (left knee partial meniscectomy)
Memphis Grizzlies: Steven Adams (right knee), Santi Aldama (right ankle), Brandon Clarke (left Achilles), Ja Morant (league suspension)
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (0-0) at Memphis Grizzlies (0-0)
Series history: Pelicans lead all-time 42-36, 2-2 in 2022-23
Where: FedEx Forum
When: October 25, 7:00 PM CT
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
READ MORE
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- The Impact of CJ McCollum’s Consistency on the Pelicans’ Success
- Matt Ryan: Great Story of Perseverance Now Also Pelicans’ 3-point Back-up Plan
- A Lot On Herb: Jones Remains Keystone of Pelicans Defense
- Zion, Pelicans Save Their Best For Last and Beat Magic 104-92
- Dyson Daniels Needed For More Than Defense In Year 2
- Pelicans Look To Unlock Dynamic Offensive Potential Of Dereon Seabron
- Pelicans Begin 5th Preseason of the Zion Era with Matchup Versus Magic
- Making a Difference: How Larry Nance Jr. Elevates the Pelicans’ Second Unit
- New Orleans Pelicans Better Positioned to Handle Adversity
