Fans in the Crescent City can be forgiven for thinking that a trip to the city cures all ills for NBA All-Stars looking to return from an injury. Ja Morant made not one but two statements in the Big Easy starting with his season debut and ending with a bit of it-happened-again game-winning shot deja vu. A few other faces of the league have felt comfortable making their return against the New Orleans Pelicans and a January 17 date with LaMelo Ball's Charlotte Hornets is no different.
The Hornets (8-29) are on a five-game losing streak but have been a bit more threatening since welcoming Ball back from an ankle injury. Ball missed 20 games before returning to action this week, averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and five assists. Still, even though head coach Willie Green is facing tough decisions, the Pelicans have to take care of business at home with no excuses allowed.
“They're getting LaMelo Ball back,” Green noted after practice. “Obviously he's a key fixture on their team setting a table for guys with his ability to pass. He can score and gets guys out in transition. I think the biggest key for (the Pelicans) is stepping on the floor, having a standard in which we play, and holding ourselves to that standard.”
The Hornets will not be pushovers despite winning just three games since Thanksgiving Day. Pelicans locker room leader Larry Nance Jr. was one of the loudest voices at practice yesterday, reminding a young team to stay focused on the task at hand.
“Defend home court. I think our record at home is 12-8 and that's not where it should be,” Nance Jr. admitted. “We've got a great home-court advantage and we're proud of that so I think it's important. We've got Charlotte tomorrow. It's Charlotte, Phoenix, Utah, OKC. Those are teams that are very capable of beating us and us very capable of beating them so it's going to be some good basketball in the Smoothie King (Center). I think the key for us is to just defend home court and sure people know when they come there it's going to be a fight.”
It's a fight the Pelicans should be up for since all of their All-Star power should be back in the lineup. The talent discrepancy is apparent by looking at the standings but the Pelicans have given up big individual nights to seemingly less capable, lightly respected opponents this season. Still, the team is wary of what Ball brings to the table.
“LaMelo is a guy that plays with so much joy on the basketball court that he just makes their whole team tick, makes them run, and really enjoys playing. Obviously, he's super talented,” Nance Jr. complimented. “The man has been an All-Star and is going to present a challenge for us but it's not just him. Terry's been terrific this year. They've got some really talented pieces. This is one we absolutely cannot take lightly and we'll be ready for it.”
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