BREAKING: Willie Green Says Ja Morant Gives Grizzlies 'Confidence, Swagger'
In his pregame interview, New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green said the focus will be limiting the Grizzlies' key player Ja Morant. Green spoke about a change in the Pelicans' opponent's confidence and swagger with Morant back with Memphis.
"The biggest thing is that he brings a level of confidence to their team," Green shared. "They were waiting for, a swagger to their team. That's what makes them dangerous is now that they have their leader, [and] best player on the floor."
The NBA Western Conference Player of the Week, Morant, is averaging 28 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in the three games back from his suspension.
Dec 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks to pass against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Herbert Jones (5) during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Ja Morant is a player that gives the Grizzlies improved defensive capabilities and attacking prowess. Green believes the best way for the Pelicans to counter his presence is to defend well, dominate the paint, and take care of the basketball.
"So it starts with that mentality first. And then making sure that we can reverse it on them, and have paint scores and paint kickouts. Making sure that we dominate the glass on both [ends] and take care of the basketball. Against Houston, we had three turnovers in the last 4 minutes of the game, and that's death in the NBA."
New Orleans must protest the driving lane as Morant exploited in the last-second buzzer-beater at Smoothie King Center on Dec. 19.
Green remarked, "We know he can make shots, but his strength is in transition and driving the ball to get to the paint and making decisions from there."
The Memphis Grizzlies (9-19, 13th in the Western Conference) versus the New Orleans Pelicans (17-13, seventh in the Western Conference) expects to be a great rematch with the young star power of Zion, Morant, BI, and CJ. SI's Sportsbook has the Pelicans as 62.3% probability favorites. Vegas gives New Orleans a 4.5-point advantage.
