New Orleans Pelicans: Five questions for tonight’s matchup

I had the chance to talk with Matt Cianfrone from Pelican Debrief about tonight’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for us at Beale Street Bears before the game.

Discussion

1. The Pelicans are just 1 game out of a playoff spot. What has been the main contributor to their recent success?

It has actually been everyone really. With Anthony Davis sidelined for five games recently and Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson out for longer the Pelicans got contributions from random guys each night to stay afloat.

Sometimes it was Tyreke Evans having a big night scoring at the rim, others it was Eric Gordon lighting it up from three or Omer Asik defending the rim and rebounding like a mad man. Even Alexis Ajcina got involved and had a few big nights off the bench. It really has been a total team effort to hang around. 

2. There’s been a long debate over who’s the best center in the NBA. Why should Anthony Davis top the list?

I wouldn’t say he was the best center in the league mostly because the Pelicans have made sure he hasn’t played any center this year. I will say he is the best power forward in basketball thanks to his ridiculous versatility.

Davis knocks down mid-range jumpers at an elite level, is one of the best finishers in the game, can handle the ball like a guard and runs off pin down screens like no big man I have ever seen on offense. On defense he can just as easily block a shot as jump a passing lane for a steal. It is incredible to watch on a nightly basis and the scary part is there is still room to grow. 

3. Do the Pelicans have enough in them to clinch the 8th seed?

I’m skeptical. I don’t think the Pelicans make the playoffs but it has less to do with them and more to do with the Thunder. At the end of the day Oklahoma City is a better team right now and I think ultimately that makes the difference and they hold off the Pelicans.

4. Who poses the biggest threat to New Orleans on the Grizzlies?

Normally I would say Marc Gasol just because of how good and mobile he is which could pose problems for Omer Asik but with Jrue Holiday out I will say Mike Conley. Without Holiday the Pelicans have been using Quincy Pondexter and Eric Gordon to defend good point guards and it hasn’t always worked out well.

With Conley’s quickness I think the Pelicans may struggle to defend him coming off the pick-and-rolls which means Davis and Asik are going to play a huge part in tonight’s outcome with their rim protection.

5. What is your prediction for tonight’s game?

I’ll take the Grizzlies. The Pelicans are struggling to score the ball over the last few games and that won’t work against Memphis like it did against the Pistons.

I think Marc Gasol’s rim protection will cause problems for Tyreke Evans and the Grizzlies will do what they can to slow Anthony Davis. On the other end I think New Orleans struggles to defend Conley and Gasol and Memphis grinds out a win. 

Thank you again to Matt Cianfrone for answering a few questions for our readers.  Tonight’s matchup between the Grizzlies’ and Pelicans begins at 6 p.m. central time and can be seen on Fox Sports South.