Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans 2019-20 season preview

Pelicans O vs. Pistons D

This is the exciting part for Pelicans fans and general NBA fans. New Orleans is likely a top League Pass team due to the unknown.

One thing is certain, and that’s that Holiday is going to be the go-to-guy. He averaged 33 points per game in last season’s two-game series. His electric quickness to get downhill and to the tin is something not many teams can match. He also has the touch on the perimeter to be a threat. He is an elite scorer that can score at all three levels.

For the young players, it’ll be an adjustment to the quickness and strength of the NBA and how long the schedule is. It’s a different grind than in college, which Ball, Ingram and Hart learned.

Ball can push the pace and facilitate and, with the addition of Redick, the Pelicans will have an all-around solid backcourt that can stretch teams out. That’ll cause issues for the Pistons perimeter players, where they’re most thin on the defensive end.

All eyes will be on Williamson, who shot 68 percent from the floor at Duke. But he only converted 33.8 percent from 3-point range and with the line moving back in the NBA game, Williamson may struggle on the perimeter. His 64 percent free throw percentage gives cause for concern, too. But Williamson can get down hill with sheer strength, though it’ll be a little different from college if he’s matched up against Griffin and Drummond.

With all the unknowns, the Pelicans present a credible threat on the offensive end, especially if they can dictate the tempo and play fast to utilize their youth and athleticism.