Solomon Hill has started at forward next to Anthony Davis in each of New Orleans’ four preseason games, but the free-agent signee will have a different frontcourt partner Tuesday at Atlanta. Davis is sidelined 10-14 days due to a right ankle sprain, meaning someone else will man the power forward spot during the Pelicans’ two-game Southeast Division road trip that continues Thursday in Orlando. Although the last thing New Orleans wanted to see was a Davis injury – the Pelicans went just 6-15 without him in 2015-16 – Hill is calling this week a potential prime opportunity for the team’s other forwards.
“It’s going to show everything for us,” Hill said Saturday afternoon of what the Pelicans might learn against the Hawks and Magic. “AD is a great player on both ends. There are opportunities for guys to play (with Davis unavailable).”
New Orleans rookie forward Cheick Diallo and veteran Dante Cunningham are among the players who may see additional minutes in the final two preseason games. After Davis sustained his injury during the first half Wednesday vs. Houston, Cunningham was in the lineup to begin the second half. Meanwhile, Diallo scored 12 points against the Rockets, after totaling two in his previous two preseason appearances. Hill noted that as a result of Davis not practicing short-term, it means Diallo will get more reps and chances on the court.
“Cheick is in a situation where he’s not getting rest in practice. He’s on every time,” Hill said. “He’s going to have to understand that it’s a faster development (process) right now. There are a lot of guys that would kill for this opportunity to play. We definitely don’t want to see anybody injured, but (if someone is) missing games, we need guys to step up and be ready. Dante is another guy who’s going to step up, as a veteran guy. Hopefully guys can take that as a challenge.”
Other notes from Saturday’s practice:
Hill on one area New Orleans must improve, after the Pelicans committed 15 turnovers Wednesday: “Limit turnovers. Turnovers are everything. I think by halftime (Houston) had 20 points off our turnovers. And we didn’t have any fast-break points. That’s the game right there. If you let a team get 20 points off your turnovers, they really don’t have to run offense. They can go out there, freelance and just wait for you to turn the ball over.” …
Alvin Gentry on the Pelicans’ competition at center between Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik: “It’s a good combination of guys who give us different looks. Both of those guys are going to play. There are going to be situations where one plays a lot one night, then the next night the other plays more minutes, depending on the type of team we’re playing against and what we’re looking for.”