Pelicans vs. Kings: Alvin Gentry Looks To Spoils Pelicans Home Play-in Game Dreams
The New Orleans Pelicans (34-44, 9th Western Conference) can clinch a spot in the NBA Playoffs play-in with a win over Alvin Gentry’s Sacramento Kings (29-50, 11th). While the Pelicans are still playing with an eye on the postseason, the Kings are a week away from their offseason vacations. Alvin Gentry has no reason to push his veterans other than to play spoiler against his former team. It should not matter if the Pelicans play up to their talent.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
- When: April 5, 2022 @ 9:00 pm CT
- Where: Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
- How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans
Expected Starting Lineups:
New Orleans Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Jonas Valanciunas
Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, Justin Holiday, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, Damian Jones
The Kings have been on a roll lately, winning four of their last six games but were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. The two losses were to playoff teams. If New Orleans wants to host a playoff game they need a win to stay ahead of San Antonio. The Spurs are only one game behind the Pelicans with four remaining. San Antonio owns the tiebreaker should they finish with the same record.
The Kings at full strength were just the 16th best scoring team. They give up the 5th most offensive rebounds and sit 24th overall in clearing the boards. They are 21st in assists and 24th in steals. They don’t share the ball much or take it away. To win this game the Pelicans simply cannot commit mistakes that give the Kings extra opportunities.
New Orleans has been getting off too slow in the first half lately. Is this perhaps a sign this long season grind back from a 1-12 start has taken its toll? We now have a week worth of slow starts going back to the 23-point comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s up to Green on the sidelines but CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will have to lead on the court.
The scouting reports on the McCollum/Ingram partnership are getting out. Teams are blitzing McCollum late and denying Ingram early. The supporting cast has cooled off since carrying the team in Ingram and McCollum’s absence. Getting the offense going has to be a priority for the Pelicans. Herb Jones is just coming out of a shooting slump but Trey Murphy III has shown a renewed confidence in his shot.
A big part of the offense might be missing in Sacramento. Jonas Valancuinas (right ankle) is listed as questionable on the injury report and has been battling through this injury for weeks. If the Kings are resting veterans, Valancuinas should have an easy night if he plays at all. Getting Valancuinas more involved will be necessary in the coming playoff play-in game. He only had six shots in the loss to the Clippers.
Perhaps Green will give Jose Alvarado more minutes than Devonte’ Graham to change things up again. Alvarado has played just 16 minutes over the past two games, scoring just two points in each. Alvarado was averaging 15 points a game just two weeks ago in an expanded role.
Jan 13, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) brings the ball up court against LA Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Alvarado’s defense should not be an excuse to keep him on the bench, especially against Sacramento. The Kings have already ruled out De'Aaron Fox (hand), Domantas Sabonis (knee), Terence Davis (wrist), and Richaun Holmes (personal). Alex Len is dealing with a back issue and Harrison Barnes could be shut down for the season. Rookies Davion Mitchell and Neemias Queta will get to lead the Kings in their home finale.
Can Willie Green find a way to get the Pelicans to play more focused basketball in the first half? Jumping out to a lead over a skeleton crew Kings squad would go a long way to building up confidence for the last week of the season.
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