Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Keys to beating the New Orleans Pelicans
By Ethan Temkin
3.) Dictate the tempo
As previously stated, the Pelicans are ranked third pace, averaging 105 possessions per 48 minutes. The team has the personnel to get up and down the court, and a coach in Alvin Gentry that is one of the godfathers of playing that way. For a team on the older side, the Lakers might have some trouble keeping up with such a young and athletic roster.
In response, a crucial way for the Lakers to avoid this will be to get out ahead of this, slow the game down, and dictate the tempo from the start. LeBron James is one of the best at imposing his will against other teams, and making them play the pace he wants, which is something he’s gotten better at with age.
Even though the Lakers’ half court offense is still a work in progress, it has been consistently improving on a game-by-game basis as key pieces such as Rajon Rondo and Kyle Kuzma are working their way back from injury.
Getting out and running is a major piece to the Pelicans offense, so if the Lakers can control the tempo early, and mitigate that as much as possible, they’ll be in good shape to win this one.