OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 2019-20 team preview

Contract Situation by category:

Guaranteed: Jrue Holiday, Frank Jackson, E’Twaun Moore, Darius Miller, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart,
J.J. Redick, Brandon Ingram, Nicolò Melli, Derrick Favors, Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes

Non/Partial Guaranteed: Kenrich Williams | Jahlil Okafor

Two-Way Contracts: Zylan Cheatham | Josh Gray

Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: Kavell Bigby-Williams | Jalen Adams | Javon Bess | Aubrey Dawkins

Unsigned Prospect:  Marcos Louzada Silva

Thunder performance vs. Pelicans in 2018-19

The teams split the four-game season series.

November 5, 2018, OKC Thunder versus New Orleans Pelicans, Win: 122 – 116
Paul George 23 points,  Julius Randle 26 points

December 12, 2018, OKC Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans Loss: 114 – 118
Paul George 25 points,  Anthony Davis 44 points

January 24, 2019, OKC Thunder New Orleans Pelicans, Win: 122 – 116
Paul George/Russell Westbrook 23 points,  Jrue Holiday 22 points

February 14, 2019, OKC Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans Loss: 122 – 131
Russell Westbrook 44 points,  Julius Randle 33 points

Pelicans Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:

Away Game: Sunday, December 1, 2019, at 5:00  p.m. EST

Away Game: Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Friday, November 29, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Marquee matchup: Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Ironically the above matchup was entered prior to the Zion news on Monday. The reason was despite Zion’s stardom the above matchup (at least personally) was more compelling. We’re talking cousins both with exciting potential.

Clearly handling Jrue Holiday will be a major part of the game plan and presumably, Andre Roberson will get that task. Matching up to the Pels depth will also be tricky as they are loaded at every position.

The Pelicans will employ a run and gun, fast pased offense so it’s absolutely essential the OKC Thunder stop the Pels in transition.  Where New Orleans will take major strides this season should be on defense. Holiday, Favors, Ball, NAW, and Hayes are all elite defenders (or potentially elite in the case of the rooks).

Offensively, the Thunder will need to find the areas they can attack where they have the advantage. One will be Steven Adams based on the size of the Pels centers. The other could be on the wings if the Thunder force turnovers to push transition and/or ensure the high volume ball/player movement offense.

Three of the four games the teams play this year occur before the break and I’m calling for a split and a potential 3-1 advantage depending on how long Zion is out.

I don’t think in his rookie season Zion will affect the Pelicans drastically as he will in later years. Rather, I think his presence in the lineup opens up more for others, which is why there is the potential to win the series since he’ll miss the three initial games.