New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans Preview: How, Who to Watch in The Big Easy

Less than 24 hours after clipping the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks are immediately back in action against the New Orleans Pelicans.

It's a working weekend for the New York Knicks. 

Fresh off spoiling one home opener, the Knicks will look to repeat the feat on Saturday night, as they'll move onto The Big Easy to battle the New Orleans Pelicans. They had nothing but tricks for the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, taking home a 126-120 decision behind a three-point barrage paced by a career-best eight for Jalen Brunson. 

New Orleans hasn't played since its opener on Wednesday, which saw them emerge from Memphis with a 111-104 victory. CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson led the way with 24 and 23 points each while Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double with 12 points and rebounds each. 

This will be the first of two meetings between the Knicks and Pelicans this season, with the rematch at Madison Square Garden scheduled for late February. Each side successfully defended its home court in last year's couple, with the Knicks dominating to the tune of a 128-106 victory in Manhattan paced by 28 points for former Pelican Julius Randle. 

What: New York Knicks (1-1) @ New Orleans Pelicans (1-0)

Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

When/Watch: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: NO -3.5

Keep An Eye On: Julius Randle

Randle has re-blended Smoothie King Center on numerous occasions, but it's still worth keeping an eye on him after what transpired against the Hawks. Friday's win over Atlanta saw Randle nearly score a very un-Randle-like triple-double, scoring "only" 17 points while accompanying it with 12 rebounds and nine assists. Combined with a brutal shooting output on opening night against Boston, Randle isn't reaching the immaculate scoring heights that Knicks fans have grown accustomed to over the past few seasons but if it's leading to wins, they'll no doubt honor the change of pace.

Pelican to Watch: Zion Williamson

New York was spared an encounter with the Knick that never was last season but Williams put an exclamation point on his return to action with a brilliant final period against Memphis. The Knicks have been able to handle the backcourt well in the early going but were burned by Kristaps Porzingis and Clint Capela in the paint over their opening couple. Williamson will no doubt be looking to make a statement to both his home crowd and his would-be (possibly future...?) employers.

They Said It

“I thought our guys showed a lot of toughness. We got great performances from a number of people. I thought Julius (Randle) was terrific, just trusting the pass when they collapsed on him, just spraying it out. Jalen, huge game. RJ, huge game. All three of them.”-Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau on the win over Atlanta (h/t Stefan Bondy, New York Post)

Prediction

Friday night's win was more of the Knicks that fans became accustomed to last season. One more win on this early three-game road trip should be enough to have observers both in and out of the organization feeling relatively comfortable about their early standing. It feels like a little much for that triumph to come against an angry, hungry Cleveland team on Halloween but they've taken advantage of regular season opportunities and it feels like Saturday's trip to New Orleans is another one of those prime chances. 

Knicks 109, Pelicans 107