New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks: Pelicans Pushing For 9th Seed

The New Orleans Pelicans can overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the 9th seed with a road win against the Atlanta Hawks. Can Willie Green and CJ McCollum lead the team to another win without Brandon Ingram?

The New Orleans Pelicans can overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the 9^th seed with a road win against the Atlanta Hawks. Can Willie Green and CJ McCollum lead the team to another win without Brandon Ingram?

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks

• When: March 20, 2022 @ 5:00 PM CT
• Where: State Farm Arena Atlanta, GA
• How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

Mar 18, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) brings the ball up in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Expected Starting Lineups:

• New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Jonas Valanciunas
• Atlanta Hawks: Delon Wright, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, Danilo Gallinari, Clint Capel

The New Orleans Pelicans (29-41, 10th in the Western Conference) head east to face the Atlanta Hawks (3535, 10^th Eastern Conference) with a chance to overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for 9^th and the right to host the NBA Playoff Play-In game. The Pelicans are coming off a big win without Brandon Ingram, who is still at home with a non-COVID illness. The Hawks will likely be without Trae Young (questionable, left quad) and John Collins (out, right foot), making things a little easier for CJ McCollum and Jonas Valancuinas.

Mar 18, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

ABOUT THE HAWKS

• 7th in scoring
• 3^rd in three-point field goal percentage (37.1%), 
• 4^th in made free throws,
• 8^th in overall shooting (46.7%). 
• Commit the fewest turnovers, just under 12 per game. 

Luckily for the Pelicans, they have Herb Jones and the Hawks might be missing Young.

New Orleans should be able to take advantage even if Young plays at less than 100%. Atlanta is a bottom-third team in rebounding (22^nd), blocks (23^rd), points per game allowed (21^st), and steals (25^th). They are just an average team (14^th in assists) when it comes to sharing the basketball.

The Pelicans rebound (8^th) and cut off passing lanes (7^th in steals) better than most. New Orleans has 32 fast break points and 93 bench points combined in their last two wins. This game is set up for the same recipe for success for Willie Green’s squad especially if the Hawks are forced to give Young’s minutes to Delon Wright, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Lou Williams.

New Orleans might need Jose Alvarado to step into the starting lineup. Devonte’ Graham (right hip soreness) is listed as questionable on the latest injury report. Alvarado posted an eight-point, five-assist, six-rebound stat line in the 124-91 win over the Spurs. Graham had 9 points in 20 minutes.

Atlanta is on a seven-game home win streak. Can Willie Green and CJ McCollum lead the team to another win without Brandon Ingram? Will Trey Murphy III keep his spot in the rotation? We will find out this afternoon.