The New Orleans Pelicans won’t have much rest entering Saturday night’s game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, but they do have plenty of momentum.
The Jazz are the opposite. They’ve been struggling and have had plenty of time to think about it.
While the Pelicans picked up a 116-106 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers late Friday night, Utah rested at home after not playing since a rough 121-105 loss Wednesday at Portland.
The Jazz’s struggles — only four wins in 15 games, including four straight losses — have been challenging Utah coach Will Hardy in his second season. He made it clear that he’s not satisfied with the lackluster performances.
“We are either going to dig in and have the ability to learn or we’re going to have to make some real changes with who’s playing in the games, because 16 turnovers in a half is unacceptable,” Hardy said after the loss to Portland. “That’s not who we want to be as a team, that’s not what I want our team to be known as, that’s not what I want our program to represent.”
Kelly Olynyk was inserted into the starting lineup against the Blazers, and more changes could be in store.
“It’s going to take some real collective work,” Hardy said. “And it’s going to take everybody taking responsibility for their own part in where we are right now as a team — that’s me included.”
Hardy emphasized that he isn’t a critic of the Jazz and expects a team effort.
“I’m with them, and they know that. I go home after every game, win or loss, and I am constantly beating myself up about things that I did or didn’t do,” he added. “And I just want them to take the same responsibility and ownership over this program. If you’re gonna wear a Utah Jazz jersey, you have to give a (expletive) about the Utah Jazz.”
New Orleans comes into Utah for games on Saturday and Monday having won three games in a row and five of six. The Pelicans held on to their West Group B lead in pool play of the NBA in-season tournament with their win in Los Angeles.
Pelicans coach Willie Green attributed his team’s success to discipline, consistency and trust.
“I’m super proud of our group. We’re growing up and we just have to continue to do it,” Green said. “The biggest growth is we’re playing for 48 minutes, the effort is there, the sense of urgency is there.”
It helps that the Pelicans’ two stars are on the court together. On Friday, Zion Williamson had 32 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in the victory, while Brandon Ingram totaled 30 points and five assists.
“Those two guys are extremely important to our entire group,” Green said. “When they’re healthy and playing at a high level, we have a chance to compete with any team. We haven’t had them on the floor together for a long period of time, so it’s definitely a blessing that they’re healthy, that they’re playing well and that they’re playing together.”
–Field Level Media
