With the Golden State Warriors knocking off the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day, the New Orleans Pelicans assumed the mantle of the league’s longest current winning streak at four games. They’ll try and extend it to five against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening as they wrap up the season series.
There was some good and bad in the first two contests. After suffering a disappointing 108-100 loss in N Ben Simmons ovember, the Pelicans posted a thrilling 113-110 victory a mere 11 days ago. No one is going to forget that win for a very long time — especially Devonte’ Graham.
THE ENDING TO THE PELICANS-THUNDER GAME
DEVONTE' GRAHAM PAST HALF COURT FTW pic.twitter.com/KQDj7irO36
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 16, 2021
If you haven’t been paying close attention, the Pelicans keep trending luka doncic apparel upwards despite not enjoying a single minute from Zion Williamson yet.
While the defense has been up and down a bit, the offense has shown steady improvement. At the center si luka dončić jersey ts Brandon Ingram, who is quietly amassing a nice All-Star resume, but he’s been getting plenty of help recently.
During the NBA Western Conference Champs four-game winning streak, Ingram is averaging 28.8 points but four other Pelicans are eclipsing 15 points per game.
Devonte’ Graham: 17.8 PPGJonas Valanciunas: 17.7 PPGJosh Hart: 16.0 PPGNickeil Alexander-Walker: 15.7 PPG
Now for some bad news: The Pelicans will not have Valanciunas (non-COVID illness) and Alexander-Walker (health and safety protocols) in uniform against the Thunder.
However, do recall they beat the Orlando Magic without those two key rotation pieces. Tomas Satoransky enjoyed his best game as a Pel (nine points, three assists), and Garrett Temple and Herb Jones scored eight points apiece.
The Thunder will rely heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 26.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the last five OKC games. Lu Dort (16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) and Josh Giddey (15.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists) have made major contributions during this stretch.
It would behoove the Pelicans to find a way to get past the Thunder because after Sunday’s matchup the schedule turns extremely arduous:
vs 19-13 Cavaliers on Dec. 28at 22-13 Bucks on Jan. 1vs 23-9 Jazz on Jan. 3vs 26-6 Suns on Jan. 4vs 27-6 Warriors on Jan. 6
Don’t follow my lead and look ahead, Pels. Get the win over the Thunder first.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (12-21) at Oklahoma City Thunder (11-20)
When: December 26, 2021, 6:00 pm
Where to watch: Bally S Ja Morant ports New Orleans, League Pass
Wh NBA Polo Shirts ere to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM
For more Pelicans talk, subscribe to The Bird Calls podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, dallas mavericks luka doncic jersey Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @OlehKosel.
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