The New Orleans Pelicans (115.1) and Oklahoma City Thunder (120.1) were both averaging above 115 points during the NBA's regular season. Neither hit 95 points in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs first-round series.
Points are going to be at a premium in this matchup, so getting to the free throw line is more important than ever. Unfortunately, a season-long trend has seemingly carried over into the postseason for the Pelicans.
It would not be surprising to see this Pelicans versus Thunder heavyweight bout come down to a single possession the entire series. The matchup is that close on talent even with Zion Williamson watching from the sidelines. That's why these upbeat, stubborn in their ways Pelicans are not letting the 0-1 start sour their mood, even with a lack of free throws.
The Pelicans shot nine free throws with seven makes in the NBA Playoffs opener. Oklahoma City was 10-13, mostly thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's (6-7 FTA) rim pressure. The Pelicans got 52 rebounds and 18 of those were on the offensive end. Referees see arms flying everywhere on the resulting put-back attempts in those situations. They decided not to call many Game 1 fouls though, a far cry from how the game is called in the first 82 games.
New Orleans has not gotten an honest whistle all season according to Willie Green, who shared the opinion after an NBA Play-In Tournament loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don't feel like we've gotten a great whistle all season,” shared Green. “That's just how I feel when I watch the games. We're one of the teams that dominate the paint night in and night out. We have a physically dominant force in Zion along with others. And it just seems like we're not getting those calls.”
CJ McCollum snapped with a simple observation when asked about the discrepancy after the Game 1 loss to the Thunder.
“I shot 22 times and got zero free throws.”
Pelicans focus on what can be controlled
There are some things the Pelicans can count on from the series against the Thunder. Shai's shiftiness. Dort's physicality. Chet Holmgren's length. Jalen Williams barking constantly. A perpetual wait for Zion Williamson's first on-court NBA Playoffs experience and the referees/officials making or not making questionable calls. Still, Green's we've-been-here-before, gameplan-focused message to the team was unwavering after the loss.
“This is not a deflating mentality for us at all. It's a next-play mentality. We understand that this is a long playoff series, the first game,” Green said. “There are going to be times where they're doing things and you have to counter. You have to make adjustments as a part of playoff basketball, but our mentality is to continue to execute our game plan at a high level.”
That was the message to the Pelicans. Green got specific about Brandon Ingram as well. Ingram was 5-17 from the field and made both of his free throws, but seem flustered all night. He finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two turnovers in an otherwise forgettable performance. Well, except for the bruises.
Green addressed how Ingram has to answer the challenge of an overly physical Lu Dort.
“It is not about what we need to do to free (Ingram) up. This is gonna be playoff basketball,” stressed Green. “He has got to continue to play through it, have some gamesmanship out there. He's got to go to the free-throw line a bit more because that's just what it is going to be. We're physical with them; they're physical with us.”
“That's a part of the game. It is a part of playoff basketball. Continue to play with force. Play with speed. Get quality looks and take care of the ball,” Green advised. “They turn teams over. They're pretty handsy in terms of their ability to put their hands on you…He has got to continue to play through it.”
Ingram is relishing the rematch, confident the same dirty tricks will not work twice.
“Let them do it. I'll be ready.”
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