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’ Heartbreaker Against Celtics Reveals Glimpse of Potential
Photo by Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans came tantalizingly close to upsetting the Boston Celtics, falling just short in a 120-119 nail-biter. While the loss stings, it provided a tantalizing glimpse of what this Pelicans team could be when firing on all cylinders.
The game came down to the wire, with C.J. McCollum taking the final shot for New Orleans. With 6.6 seconds left, McCollum drove for a layup that was mere millimeters from dropping. It was a good look and the right call given the circumstances. Zion Williamson was doubled, and there wasn’t enough time to run a complex play to get him the ball.
What’s most encouraging is how the Pelicans’ starters performed against one of the NBA’s elite teams. The lineup of Dejounte Murray, McCollum, Trey Murphy, Williamson, and Yves Missi outscored the Celtics’ starters by seven points in just 13 minutes of action. Their offensive rating of 128.6 would be the best in the league by a wide margin, while their defensive rating of 103.6 would rank second.
Individual performances were equally impressive. Murphy knocked down 5 of 10 threes en route to 30 points. Murray may have had his best game as a Pelican, posting 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. Williamson’s impact was felt beyond his 16 points, as he racked up 5 steals and opened up the floor for his teammates.
The Pelicans’ ability to hang with the Celtics demonstrates the talent on this roster when healthy. While closing out games remains a challenge, the potential is clearly there. If New Orleans can build on this performance and find consistency, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ performance against the Celtics, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Analyzing C.J. McCollum’s final shot attempt
• The impact of Zion Williamson’s return on team dynamics
• Dejounte Murray’s improved three-point shooting with Zion on the court
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Analysis The Pelicans showed their potential in a narrow defeat to the Celtics, demonstrating strong team dynamics and promising future prospects despite the loss. (NOLA)
Analysis In another heartbreaker, the Pelicans lost to the Celtics, highlighting areas for improvement and showcasing moments of brilliance crucial for future games. (NOLA)
Trade The Pelicans should consider exploring a strategic trade proposal to strengthen their roster and address current weaknesses. (Bleacher Report)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
Dejounte Murray delivered a clutch win for the Pelicans and justified New Orleans trading for him Discover how the New Orleans Pelicans secured a thrilling 119-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks (without Luka Doncic), even in the absence of Zion Williamson. With standout performances from Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy, the Pelicans showcased their depth and resilience.
Trey Murphy just showed he is a STAR for the New Orleans Pelicans Trey Murphy’s standout performance is turning heads as he helps the New Orleans Pelicans make waves in the NBA. Join Jake Madison as he talks about his impressive 32-point game against the Bulls and what it means for his role on the team.
You might not think it but a Zach LaVine trade could help New Orleans Pelicans with the Luxury Tax Can the New Orleans Pelicans navigate the luxury tax without sacrificing talent? Dive into the strategic maneuvers of the New Orleans Pelicans as they explore potential trades to manage their salary cap.
