After starting the regular season 6-6, New Orleans has gone 16-6 over its past 22 games. A turnaround in the results of close games has been a significant factor, with the Pelicans winning three one-possession contests in December, including Wednesday’s 119-118 nail-biter over Minnesota. Rookie guard Dyson Daniels was a go-to guy at the defensive end of the floor, forcing Anthony Edwards into a contested shot along the baseline just before the final buzzer that misfired. Despite being a 19-year-old rookie – and pretty much everyone in the building knowing the Timberwolves would try to get the ball to the supremely talented Edwards – New Orleans coaches gave Daniels that critical assignment.
Asked after Friday’s morning shootaround what it means for the Pelicans to put that kind of faith in his defensive ability, Daniels responded, “It says a lot, putting me in for that final possession, putting that trust in me to be out on the floor. It says they trust me and I have to go out there and do my job, which is defend and lock up.”
The Pelicans sustained multiple heartbreaking defeats in October and November, including an 0-3 mark in overtime, but they are 2-1 in OT since. Of course, it helps to have Zion Williamson score 14 consecutive fourth-quarter points, as he did Wednesday against the Wolves, but New Orleans has also improved its overall execution as a team.
“Just playing together for longer,” Daniels said of one factor. “You learn from your mistakes and losses in those close games. We’ve gotten a lot better executing down the stretch and we have Zion, who took over in the last five minutes (vs. Minnesota).”
Dyson Daniels talks defense, fans | Pelicans-76ers Shootaround 12/30/2022
“Just going over end-of-game execution, we script it every day pretty much over and over,” guard Devonte’ Graham said of constant preparations for clutch time. “Being in those situations and finding a way to win.”
Other notes from shootaround:
Graham on Daniels’ ability to guard: “Just a good defender. Moves his feet, athletic, physical and it’s tough to score over him. That’s why Coach (Willie Green) and (his staff) put him in those (key) situations, because he can (switch to) 1 through 5 and he’s a good rebounder. So he’s definitely huge in those moments.” …
Graham was able to successfully pull Bally Sports TV sideline reporter Jen Hale away from a potential dousing when Pelicans players dumped water on Williamson during his Wednesday postgame walk-off interview. Asked about adeptly removing Hale from danger, Graham smiled and responded, “It’s my point guard IQ.”
Devonte' Graham on Dyson Daniels, End of Game Execution | Pelicans-76ers Shootaround 12/30/2022
Philadelphia Scouting Report
Offensive efficiency rank: 13 (112.9)
Defensive efficiency rank: 2 (108.9)
Net rating: 4 (+4.0)
Streak: Lost 1
Go-to guy: Entering Friday’s busy night around the league, 76ers center Joel Embiid leads the NBA in scoring at 33.7 points per game, a fraction in front of Dallas guard Luka Doncic, who’s also at 33.7. Embiid has produced a spike in efficiency this season, shooting 52.9 percent from the field, a career high. He’s also averaging a career-best in attempts from the foul line (12.0 per game).
On the rise: Former Memphis bench catalyst De’Anthony Melton was a valuable offseason trade pickup for the Sixers, starting 23 times, partly due to an extended injury absence by rising star guard Tyrese Maxey (listed as probable to return to action Friday). Philadelphia is 15-8 when Melton starts; he’s shooting 39.2 percent on three-pointers in his 30 appearances.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
PHILADELPHIA (20-13)
Tuesday loss at Washington
James Harden, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, Joel Embiid
Notes: This group is 6-2, Philadelphia’s winningest combination this season. Among the 13 different starting fives used by the 76ers, no other alignment has registered more than three victories. … Philadelphia had an eight-game winning streak ended Tuesday by the Wizards in our nation’s capital. … Philadelphia is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind fourth-place Cleveland (22-14), which is on a three-game losing streak. The 76ers have a bit of a cushion ahead of No. 6 Indiana (19-17), particularly with a four-game edge in the loss column.
NEW ORLEANS (22-12)
Wednesday win vs. Minnesota
CJ McCollum, Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: This group is 2-1, having split a pair of games in Los Angeles early in the season prior to the home win over the Timberwolves. … New Orleans is in first place in the West, based on a tiebreaking advantage over Denver (also 22-12). The Pelicans lead the season series 1-0 over the Nuggets, entering a pair of Tuesday matchups in late January. New Orleans will also visit Denver on March 30. … Third-place Memphis (21-13) is a game behind New Orleans. The Pelicans must win at least once on Friday or Saturday (at Memphis) to remain ahead of the Grizzlies in the standings.
FanDuel Keys to the Game
BATTLE ON THE BOARDS
Rebounding is probably the biggest season-long advantage New Orleans holds over Philadelphia, with the Pelicans ranking sixth in percentage (51.6), while the 76ers are second-worst in that stat (47.8, ahead of only Dallas at 47.7). Then again, maybe board work is a little overrated this season – the four worst rebounding teams in the NBA all have winning records, a group that also includes Brooklyn and Indiana.
STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH
Williamson is coming off a 33-point second half vs. Minnesota for a New Orleans offense that ranks sixth in the league in efficiency (115.0 points per 100 possessions). Philadelphia has been elite at the defensive end, currently second in rating (108.9, trailing only Cleveland at 108.6).
MATCHUP TO WATCH
At guard, both teams rely on a veteran guard to spearhead their offensive attack. For New Orleans, McCollum (No. 10 pick of the 2013 draft) is an aggressive scorer and three-point shooter, which is also true of Philadelphia’s Harden (No. 3 pick of the 2009 draft).