How Will Zion, Pelicans Respond In Rematch With Morant, Grizzlies?
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (17-13) host the Memphis Grizzlies (9-19) Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center. These teams met exactly one week ago in a dramatic last-second thriller. Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant returned for his first game of the season after missing the first 25 games due to a league suspension. Morant scored a game-high 34 points, including the game-winning layup as time expired to give Memphis the 115-113 victory.
Since his return to the lineup, the Grizzlies are 3-0. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have lost two straight home games by a combined four points. Closing games is an issue for New Orleans. The Pelicans' last three home losses are by a combined five points, and the team is 5-7 in games decided by five points or fewer in the last five minutes. New Orleans will need to make better adjustments in guarding Ja Morant this time around.
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
The Grizzlies have gotten a jolt in the arm since Ja returned to play. Memphis ranks No. 30 in the league in points per game (107.0), but since his return they average 118.7 points per contest. Most of the defensive responsibilities fall on Herb Jones in guarding Morant, but the Pelicans must make it a team effort to slow down the star guard. Jones is one of two players in the NBA this season to average at least 1.5 steals and one block per game.
Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson played in last Tuesday's game despite being questionable with a non-Covid related illness. Williamson had little impact in the game, scoring just 13 points while recording two of those points in the fourth quarter with zero rebounds and zero assists in the final period. Williamson and Morant will forever be linked because of their draft position in the 2019 NBA Draft, which saw Williamson go No. 1 overall and Morant get selected at No. 2. This is only their eighth matchup in which both players played in the same game.
Another reason Williamson was ineffective is because of the Grizzlies' elite interior defense. Memphis is No. 1 in the NBA in opponent points in the paint. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson, Jr. anchors the middle of the defense that is No. 3 in the NBA in blocked shots per game. New Orleans must control the paint better in this game to have a chance to win. Memphis outscored the Pelicans 62-50 in the paint last game and outrebounded them as well. Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas will need to play big in the interior for any success the Pelicans will have.
The Pelicans are in the midst of a five game home stand, and have already dropped a game to Houston on Saturday night. After hosting the Grizzlies on Tuesday, they play Utah on Thursday, the Lakers on Sunday, and wrap up the home slate next Tuesday agaisnt the Brooklyn Nets.
