Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Pelicans’ Winning Formula: Offensive Rebounds and Resilience
Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans recently showcased their potential by securing a crucial win against the Denver Nuggets, despite the absence of Nikola Jokic and head coach Michael Malone. This victory was not just a stroke of luck; it was a testament to the team’s strategic focus on offensive rebounding and the standout performance of Brandon Ingram.
Offensive Rebounding: A Game-Changer
In the face of injuries and a challenging season, the Pelicans have turned to offensive rebounding as a vital strategy. Against the Nuggets, they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 19 second-chance points. This approach is crucial for a team struggling with half-court scoring, as it keeps possessions alive and provides additional scoring opportunities. Players like Yves Missi and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl have been instrumental in this effort, consistently crashing the boards and maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
The Pelicans’ ability to balance offensive rebounding with transition defense has been impressive. Despite the aggressive pursuit of rebounds, they managed to limit the Nuggets to just 16 fast-break points, demonstrating a well-rounded game plan that mitigates potential risks.
Brandon Ingram’s Leadership and Performance
Brandon Ingram has been a pivotal figure for the Pelicans, nearly achieving a triple-double against the Nuggets with 29 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. His ability to adapt his game, focusing more on three-point shots and driving to the rim, has been crucial in maintaining the team’s offensive flow. While his shot selection can sometimes be questionable, Ingram’s willingness to take on a leadership role and deliver results is undeniable.
In the subsequent game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Ingram continued to shine, despite the team’s narrow loss. His performance, alongside contributions from players like Trey Murphy and Brandon Boston Jr., highlighted the Pelicans’ resilience and potential to compete against top-tier teams, even when undermanned.
The Pelicans’ recent performances underscore the importance of strategic adjustments and player contributions in overcoming challenges. As they await the return of key players from injury, the focus on offensive rebounding and Ingram’s leadership will be critical in navigating the season’s hurdles.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- Injury updates and expected returns for key players
- Analysis of the Pelicans’ performance against the Los Angeles Lakers
- Coaching strategies and adjustments by Willie Green
- The impact of missing players on the Pelicans’ lineup and performance
After historic back-to-back nights over the weekend I hope the Kings’ De’Aaron Fox is on your radar. Fox delivered a 60 point game against the Timberwolves on Friday (the Kings, after all that, could not wrestle away the win) and then 49 points against the Jazz in a winning game on Saturday. While these scoring numbers are certainly a touch more astronomical than Fox’s norm, he’s still an athlete who’s averaged 25 points per game in the last three seasons.
Beyond pure shooting, Fox is a pleasure to watch. I mean that in an artful sense, like taking your time in a gallery or museum and letting your eyes rove over every flourish and detail. Fox has a knack for hang time, able to lightly adjust his body mid-air to tweak the angle of his jumper just so. It’s a bane to defenders because it’s nearly impossible to pre-calculate where Fox will wind up releasing the ball, but it’s startling, and fun, to see.
His passing follows the same rules. Namely: his own. One hand flings and scoops to teammates running down the lane, or flashing out to the wing, dependent on the sort of timing it takes trust and seasons of practice to nail. It speaks to the cohesiveness of the Kings, a team many are still quick to dismiss from contention but who will prove a difficult team to match up against once their roster returns to full strength.
Cade Cunningham
Admittedly, I hadn’t been paying that close of attention to Cade Cunningham, even with my well documented dedication to the Detroit Pistons. I changed that last Friday when the team was in Toronto to face the Raptors, and I spent a good chunk of pregame warmups watching Cunningham run through his drills.
There’s a new level of patience to Cade, who’s been — by circumstance — forced into holding pattern since he entered the NBA. This new level filters through his game. There’s still the juddery, at times mesmerizing, stop-start motion of his handle and with it the ability to force the pace he wants in a game, but now Cade’s letting the game come to him. Where there simply isn’t time to draw out a possession, or altering one might upend his team’s momentum (momentum has been something Detroit is relying on this season, to their benefit), Cade instead adopts the rhythm of the floor in motion. Now into his forth season, his maturation is evident, and it’s winning games.
Jabari Smith
It’s felt a touch disingenuous, how down on Jabari Smith those in the wider sphere of the Houston Rockets have been this season. Yes, he’s had some slow shooting nights, and made some frustrating decisions, but he’s also come back in the games that follow those less than stellar performances and done all the right things — leading to wins.
Smith’s a third year player in the league on a franchise that only really started to get the foundation of their rebuild right last season. He’s learning to adjust to quicker pace, tighter and more effortful defence (the Rockets are the league’s best rebounders), and what it means to actually compete versus playing at the whims of a single game, on a game-to-game basis. There’s continuity showing here, and it’s great.
Smith tends to have his best rebounding games when he’s also scoring, which just tells me that energy generated on one end of the floor is essential for him at the other. It’s also true of younger players — and teams, like the Rockets — learning what it is to stay consistent through a game’s many tide-turns.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz Deep breaths. The NBA has settled its broadcast lawsuits, and “Inside the NBA” is here to stay. (Sportico)
Preview Major changes could soon be coming to the All-Star Game. (ESPN)
Analysis The “unicorn” era of Anthony Davis may be over, but could the “Lakers AD” era just be starting? (The Ringer)
Must Read Rookie center Yves Missi has been a bright spot so far this season. Could he be the long-term solution? (The Athletic, subscription required)
Draft Should the Pelicans call it a season and #DragforFlagg? With a number of injuries on the roster, it shouldn’t be ruled out. (USA Today)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Sunday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Roundup
Nov 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images|Nick Wosika/Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest NBA action, it’s clear that Sunday was packed with intriguing performances and unexpected developments. With 10 games on the schedule, there was no shortage of excitement and fantasy implications to unpack.
Injury Updates and Opportunities
The Sacramento Kings are dealing with some significant injury news. Domantas Sabonis, usually a reliable presence, is doubtful with a back issue, potentially missing his second consecutive game. This opens up opportunities for players like Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles to step up. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is officially out for his third consecutive game.
Key Performances and Fantasy Implications
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Phoenix Suns highlighted some strategic missteps by the Suns. Starting Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkic together against Minnesota’s big lineup didn’t pay off, with Nurkic playing only 14 minutes. His inconsistent performances make him a risky fantasy option, as his playing time and production fluctuate wildly.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Mike Conley’s increased minutes are worth noting. While his scoring was minimal, his contributions in other areas helped secure the win. Naz Reid, despite his scoring potential, continues to struggle defensively, which could limit his fantasy upside.
Click the button below to see why one of KD’s newest running mates could be worth a look, and how Charlotte’s injury concerns will affect your lineup.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
Is this weekend Make or Break for the New Orleans Pelicans season? Can the New Orleans Pelicans Overcome Their Injury Woes? The New Orleans Pelicans are grappling with a challenging 6-game losing streak, compounded by injuries to key players like Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Dejounte Murray. Is their season already slipping away, or can they rally back?
New Orleans Pelicans’ offensive rebounding strategy: Key to getting wins? The New Orleans Pelicans showcased a relentless offensive rebounding effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder, grabbing 21 offensive boards and scoring 26 second-chance points. Yet, their 23 turnovers led to 34 fast-break points for OKC, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
Can New Orleans Pelicans rely on Zion Williamson despite recurring injuries? Zion Williamson’s indefinite absence due to a left hamstring strain marks his fourth significant injury, sparking concerns for the New Orleans Pelicans’ strategy. With injuries plaguing the team, is it time to reconsider building around Zion?
