The Pelicans Can't Afford To Be Jesters On The Kings' Court
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Pelicans' futility on the road is no laughing matter.
Though they have lost four of their last six away from the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans do have the opportunity to salvage their current West Coast road trip with a victory tonight over the Sacramento Kings.
However, based on the team's performance thus far, it clearly won't be an easy task to complete.
The Pels haven't finished a road swing with a winning record since the first two games of the season, when they defeated Brooklyn and Charlotte. New Orleans is currently riding a 14-game road losing streak against teams at .500 or better.
The Pelicans are also undermanned, once again playing without Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., Jose Alvarado, and Josh Richardson.
Jonas Valanciunas is questionable, but is likely a game-time decision.
New Orleans could catch a major break if Kings' guard De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) sits this one out. Fox participated in the team's shootaround but is listed as questionable.
Fox has been a terror whenever he has faced the Pelicans, but missed the first matchup between these squads as New Orleans won in a rout.
A first-time All-Star this season, Fox is averaging 25.5 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Over his last seven games versus the Pelicans he's posted averages of 31.5, 4.0, 7.7, and 1.4 with the Kings claiming victory four times.
New Orleans will once again lean on the slender shoulders of Brandon Ingram to carry the offense, which continues to struggle mightily. After being held to 99 points by the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, the Pels are 3-20 in games where they fail to score more than 110 points.
The Kings will give the Pelicans opportunities to score. Sacramento has one of the worst defenses in the NBA, ranking 28th both in rating (116.8) and in points allowed (118.5).
The question is whether or not the Pelicans can take advantage of them. The Kings' opponents are converting 37.5 percent of their three point attempts.
New Orleans has reached or topped that mark in 23 times, going 15-11 in those games (4-7 on the road).
In the Pels' win over Sacramento at home, they won by limiting Domantas Sabonis to 12 points and three assists, which ground the Kings offense to a halt.
Without Nance, and potentially Valanciunas unavailable, the task of slowing him down will be handed to Herbert Jones and Jaxson Hayes. Their success could determine the outcome.
No matter what angle you approach it from, the Pelicans are facing another must-win if they're going to hold off the Jazz, Lakers, Thunder, and Trail Blazers for at least one more day.
New Orleans Pelicans (31-33) at Sacramento Kings (37-26)
Time: 9:00 PM CT
Place: Golden 1 Center
Watch: Bally Sports NO
Listen: WRNO 99.5 FM
Read More Pelicans Scoop Articles:
- Herb Jones At Small-Ball Five Has Unlocked Options For Pelicans
- Are Pelicans Getting Green's "Confidence" Message?
- CJ McCollum Career At A Crossroads
- Pelicans Face a Close, Wild Finish in the NBA West
- NBA Championship Formula Revisited
- Pelicans Have 25 Games to Save Season
- Five Lineups To Lean On The Last Five Weeks
- Pelicans Unveil New Court In Lake Charles
