On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans are in desperate need of a victory as they sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They take on a red-hot Memphis team that leads the league in points per game and pace.
Watch for Desmond Bane to control the offense and lead the Grizzlies to another commanding victory, while the Pelicans struggle to get consistent looks on the offensive end.
Desmond Bane has been one of the most underappreciated guards this season, leading Memphis to a 29-15 record thus far (3rd in the West), and creating a seamless transition back into the Ja Morant era.
Bane has scored 21 or more points in each of his last five games while hitting 42/33/34 PRA in each of his last three outings. Facing a New Orleans defense allowing the 2nd most RPG and APG to the shooting guard position, Desmond is in a great spot here to hit his PRA total and lead Memphis to their fifth win in a row.
The 36-year-old Eric Gordon doesn’t get a whole lot of love in Philadelphia but is a great bet to make a few 3-pointers tonight against Cleveland. In what should turn into a lopsided game in the Cavs’ favor, Gordon might get extended minutes as the 76ers premier sharpshooter tonight.
Gordon has shot it extremely well in January, averaging 2.1 3 PM per game on 47% shooting from beyond the arc. Playing anywhere from 20-30 minutes tonight, expect a lot of opportunities for EG to make an impact from deep against a smaller Cleveland backcourt.
Back to Desmond Bane and Memphis, Taylor Jenkins has his team playing at an extremely high level. Beyond the Bane, Morant, and Jackson Jr. trio, Scottie Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey, and Luke Kennard are just some of their role players playing at an extremely high level and most of all, with pace and efficiency.
After letting Charlotte sneak back into the game during the second half yesterday, expect Jenkins and the coaching staff to put the pedal to the metal at home and run New Orleans out of FedExForum with their pace.
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Jaden Vann is a Sport Management and Creative Writing student at Syracuse University. Originally from Los Angeles, he brings a deep passion and understanding of basketball and football to his articles while exploring the evolution of sports through some of his personal works.