Nets vs. Pelicans: Struggling Teams Clash in a Must-Win Game
Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans Battle for a Much-Needed Win
The Brooklyn Nets (4-6) and New Orleans Pelicans (3-7) both enter Monday night’s matchup at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans looking to turn their seasons around. The game, set for 8:10 p.m. EST, features two teams battling through early struggles. Last season, the Pelicans swept the Nets, but both squads are in need of a win as they sit at the bottom of their respective conferences. Brooklyn will look to build on their competitiveness, while New Orleans aims to snap a troubling losing streak.
Brooklyn Nets: Battling Through Adversity
At 4-6, the Brooklyn Nets have faced their fair share of challenges early in the 2024-2025 season. However, they’ve remained competitive in most of their games, keeping things close despite their record. With an offensive rating ranked 15th in the league and a solid true shooting percentage (13th), the Nets are efficient across most areas of the floor. Leading the way is rising star Cam Thomas, who is averaging an impressive 25.2 points per game. Despite a poor three-point shooting percentage (ranking 20th), the Nets have been able to generate offense in other ways—particularly at the free-throw line and inside.
While the offense has shown flashes of potential, the Nets’ defense has been a mixed bag. On the positive side, they rank among the league’s best in turnover rate and three-point defense, ranking 10th and 8th in those categories, respectively. Their defensive rebounding is also above average, sitting at 13th in the league. However, their defense struggles significantly in the paint, where they rank 25th in rim protection and allow the third-most free throw attempts per game. These weaknesses have allowed opponents to capitalize inside, often making Brooklyn vulnerable to high-scoring games.
For Brooklyn to have a chance against New Orleans, they will need to continue applying pressure on the perimeter while finding ways to shore up their interior defense. Their ability to force turnovers and limit free-throw attempts could be crucial in preventing the Pelicans from finding their rhythm.
New Orleans Pelicans: In Need of a Major Bounce-Back
For the New Orleans Pelicans, the 2024-2025 season has been nothing short of a disaster so far. With only 3 wins in their first 10 games, the Pelicans are struggling both offensively and defensively. Expected to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference, they’ve instead found themselves battling near the bottom of the standings.
Defensively, New Orleans has been the worst team in the league. Their defensive rating is dead last, and they allow opponents to attack the rim with ease, ranking last in rim defense. The Pelicans are also 28th in three-point defense, and no team is worse at defensive rebounding. Although they allow the second-fewest free-throw attempts per game and have a solid turnover rate (top 10), they have been unable to get consistent stops when it matters most.
Offensively, New Orleans has struggled mightily, ranking 23rd in offensive rating. Injuries have certainly played a role, but even with a full squad, the Pelicans have been inefficient. They sit 29th in rim efficiency and rank 21st in turnover rate. Offensively, they attempt the fewest three-pointers in the NBA, limiting their floor spacing and perimeter shooting options. Their only real strength comes on the offensive boards, where they rank 7th in the league, but this hasn’t been enough to mask their overall struggles.
The Pelicans have a roster full of talent, including Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but their inability to find a consistent rhythm has put them in a tough spot early in the season. If they are to turn things around, they will need to address their defensive issues and find ways to create more efficient offense. Their reliance on offensive rebounds and minimizing turnovers will only take them so far without improvement in key areas.
Conclusion
As both the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans search for consistency, this Monday night matchup represents a pivotal opportunity for one of these struggling teams to build momentum. Brooklyn has been competitive, despite their record, and will look to exploit New Orleans’ defensive issues. Meanwhile, the Pelicans desperately need to fix their defensive woes and find a way to put together a more efficient offensive game plan.
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