A look at three key numbers related to Thursday’s game in the Smoothie King Center between Detroit and New Orleans (7 p.m. Central, Bally Sports, WRNO 99.5 FM):
9: CJ McCollum rank among all NBA players (minimum three games played) in three-pointers made per game (3.8). The 11th-year veteran is shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc and drained the most important trey of New Orleans’ young season Wednesday, putting the Pelicans in front by four points at Oklahoma City with less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation. McCollum’s perimeter prowess was crucial in the clutch, and from a general standpoint it’s been vital for his team early in 2023-24. New Orleans has increased its three-point volume significantly compared to last season (when it ranked No. 29 in attempts), now 11th in that category at 36.5 per game. But the Pelicans’ accuracy has fluctuated from game to game and sometimes from half to half (see: Wednesday’s roller-coaster, huge comeback victory from down 22 points), resulting in a No. 21 team rank in three-point makes per game (11.5). Specific to Thursday’s back-to-back game, Detroit is No. 1 in the NBA at preventing three-point attempts (just 25.4 allowed per game).
3: Among the six largest comebacks in New Orleans franchise history – which dates back to 2002-03 – three have come with Willie Green as head coach, now in just his third season as sideline boss. The Pelicans’ perseverance paid off again Wednesday in the Sooner State, as they pulled off a 22-point comeback and walked away with an important early-season road win against the Thunder. Also under Green, New Orleans has twice rallied from 23 points down to prevail (March 2022 vs. the Lakers; December 2021 vs. Cleveland). Wednesday’s rally for a win is tied for the fifth-biggest in team annals. First place on the list remains a 24-point comeback vs. Boston in the Smoothie King Center during the 2020-21 Covid season.
1: New Orleans rank among the 30 NBA teams in preventing transition scoring. The Pelicans lead the league while giving up a meager 9.5 fast-break points per game, an area contributing to their fifth-place ranking in overall defensive efficiency (104.4 points allowed per 100 possessions, via NBA.com). Based on the first week-plus of the regular season, don’t expect many run-outs during Thursday’s interconference matchup, because Detroit also has fared well in keeping the opposition from pushing the ball (seventh-best in fast-break points allowed at 11.6 per game). By comparison, at a league-worst 21.5 fast-break points allowed per game, Milwaukee is surrendering a dozen more transition points each night than New Orleans.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
DETROIT (2-3)
Wednesday loss vs. Portland
Killian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley III
Notes: The Pistons were severely shorthanded in Wednesday’s defeat. Jalen Duren (ankle) and Alec Burks (forearm) both missed a game for the first time in 2023-24. Bojan Bogdanovic (calf), Monte Morris (quad) and Isaiah Livers (ankle) have not played a game yet due to injuries. By league rule, Detroit must submit its Thursday injury report prior to the 1 p.m. local deadline for the second game of back-to-backs.
NEW ORLEANS (3-1)
Wednesday win at Oklahoma City
CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: This group has split two games, losing Monday vs. Golden State. Brandon Ingram (knee) was sidelined for both, moving Hawkins into the first unit at shooting guard and shifting Jones to small forward. … Williamson (rest) is out. Ingram (knee) is listed as questionable. … At 2-0, New Orleans is one of four Western Conference teams still unbeaten on the road (Golden State is 3-0; Dallas and Oklahoma City are 2-0).
FanDuel Keys to the Game
SECOND CHANCES
Box out! That’s what coaches for both teams will likely be emphasizing during pregame walk-throughs. New Orleans ranks fourth in offensive rebounding (12.8 per game), while Detroit is a smidge behind in the category (12.6, fifth). Of course, Duren’s playing status is worth monitoring – he was a DNP in Wednesday’s Detroit loss. The second-year center is second in the NBA in offensive rebounds (5.3 per game, behind only New York’s Mitchell Robinson at 6.0).
MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART I
In the NBA’s Week 2, McCollum has already squared off against the backcourts of Golden State (Stephen Curry, Chris Paul) and Oklahoma City (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey). The gauntlet continues Thursday vs. Cunningham (Saturday brings Trae Young and Dejounte Murray). McCollum and Cunningham are both averaging 20-plus points, with the No. 1 overall draft pick from 2021 leading Detroit at 22.8 ppg.
MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART II
On the sideline, it’s a battle between head coaches and close friends. Monty Williams led Phoenix to the 2021 NBA Finals, with Green on his staff as an assistant. Williams and Green first crossed paths on the 2010-11 New Orleans Hornets, with Williams in his first gig as an NBA head coach and Green as a veteran reserve guard. The relationship began extremely well, with New Orleans charging out to an 8-0 start, the best open to a regular season in team history.