The New Orleans Pelicans know what it’s like to play in elimination games.
Last year, they needed to win one game at home and one game on the road in the play-in tournament to advance to the playoffs. It is the same position they are in now.
Wednesday, the Pelicans face the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder, who can reach the playoffs despite entering the season with the NBA’s youngest roster.
The Pelicans won the regular-season series 3-1. They beat the Thunder in their first three meetings. In March, the Thunder took the final game of the regular-season series.
Here are three things to watch in Wednesday’s win-or-go home game.
Slowing SGA
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the NBA’s best players this season. He ranks fourth in scoring (31.4 points per game). He creates most of his offense by getting into the paint. Gilgeous-Alexander averages 23.9 drives per game, three more than any other player. The only players who attempt more free throws than him are the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid.
Herb Jones will get the first crack at guarding Gilgeous-Alexander. Jones will have to do his best to keep Gilgeous-Alexander out of the paint without fouling. In four games against New Orleans during the regular season, the Thunder guard shot 44 free throws.
Don’t be surprised if Jones face guards Gilgeous-Alexander to try to prevent him from getting the ball. The Pelicans could also send double-team his way, which they did often during the regular season.
“They’ve done it more than any other team,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But he’s seen that a lot. One of the benefits of him being in that position for our team the last three years is there isn’t a game plan he hasn’t seen. There is nothing he can do Wednesday to put him in an unfamiliar position.”
Establishing Valanciunas early, break Jax in case of emergency
In their final 12 games of the season, the Pelicans ranked 10th in offensive efficiency. That was an improvement considering how badly they struggled in the weeks after Zion Williamson went down. Involving Jonas Valanciunas was one of the ways they stabilized themselves. Valanciunas averaged 14.3 points and 13.1 rebounds from March 19 on.
There is a chance for Valanciunas to feast on the interior Wednesday. For the last two months of the season, the Thunder started rookie Jaylin Williams at center. Williams is listed at 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds. Physically, Valanciunas can overwhelm him.
If the Thunder go small — by taking Williams off the floor and going with five perimeter players — Jaxson Hayes is a player who could have an impact. Hayes had two of his best performances of the season against Oklahoma City, including a 21-point game on 8-of-9 shooting in December.
Hayes did not play at all in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. But with backup big man Larry Nance Jr. looking hobbled, the Pelicans might need Hayes to step up.
Control the game in transition
The Thunder want to play an uptempo game. They are third in the NBA in pace and force more most turnovers (16.8) than any other team. They want to get easy points off of the havoc they create.
That is why it is imperative for the Pelicans to take care of the ball. Brandon Ingram was New Orleans’ de facto point guard for the final month of the season. A lot of the responsibility as an offensive initiator will fall on his shoulders. He must play with pace but remain under control.
When Oklahoma City loads up to stop Ingram, New Orleans’ shooters must be ready. The Pelicans went 3 of 21 from 3-point territory against the Timberwolves on Sunday. That was not enough makes or attempts.
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