New Orleans Pelicans: 3 factors for success in NBA’s Orlando restart

3. Perimeter threats

For the Pelicans to overturn that 3.5 game deficit that sits between them and the eighth spot, they’re going to need to be consistent right off the bat from beyond the arc. New Orleans is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league this season, a collective 37.2 percent from downtown, fifth-best in the league.

Veteran shooting guard JJ Redick is the obvious 3-point threat, leading the Pelicans’ second unit at 45.2 percent. The breakout duo of Ingram and Ball are shooting 38.7 and 38.3 percent, respectively. Out of these three, Redick has attempted the least threes with 345 on the season – underlining the importance of the 3-ball this season for the Pelicans.

If you look at the Pelicans’ depth chart, there are more legitimate options from deep and there is scoring everywhere you look. The Pels just need to keep this intensity in Orlando and keep getting looks of screens and increase their spacing to help these shots become points.

If players like Josh Hart and E’Twaun Moore can become hot in their minutes off the bench, scoring won’t be a real problem. There are so many 3-point threats that defenses are never going to be content in coverage. The Pelicans just need to make sure that the efficiency they’ve enjoyed all season long continues for what’s left of the regular season. That’ll give them a chance.