2016-2017 NBA Previews – Pelicans Odds
Looking for 2016 New Orleans Pelicans Predictions? We’ve got your back. The New Orleans Pelicans entered the 2015-16 NBA season as the sexy pick to take a giant leap forward. Simply put: That didn’t happen.
New Orleans Pelicans Season Preview
Head Coach: Alvin Gentry
2015-16 Record: 30-52
Pelicans Odds to NBA Title: +10000
Pelicans Odds to Win Conference: +5000
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Between issues with injuries and the surprisingly stale offensive approach, New Orleans’ season never took off a year ago.
The hope is that the stars can align in 2016-17 and that this group can get back to the exciting, competitive group that snuck into the playoffs two years ago…plus some with Anthony Davis as one of the game’s preeminent young big men.
New Orleans Pelicans Strengths:
Anthony Davis is a machine. At 23 years old and entering his fifth season, he’s one of the game’s best two-way threats, he’s 6’10”, 253 pounds and he’s only getting better.
Last season, he averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in 35.5 minutes per game. Those numbers were comparable to his third season the year prior, but he jumped his three-point attempts up to 1.8 from 0.2 the year before.
He shot just 32.4 percent, but turning him into a perimeter threat adds another dynamic to this New Orleans offense.
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In the backcourt, New Orleans has a rookie in Buddy Hield who should contribute immediately. Not only is Eric Gordon gone, giving Hield a chance to be featured right away, but Hield was a lights-out shooter and lethal scorer at the collegiate level.
In terms of offseason acquisitions, the Pelicans picked up Terrence Jones and Lance Stephenson. Neither player should prove to be a true difference maker in terms of game-to-game outcomes, but over the course of a season, they could ultimately become excellent value pickups during a summer that saw teams shell out cash at unprecedented levels.
New Orleans Pelicans Weaknesses:
Health. This team needs to stay healthy first and foremost if it’s going to stand a chance of even being competitive in 2016-17.
Last season, Davis played in just 61 games. That was a career low, as he saw 64 games his rookie season, 67 as a sophomore and 68 in 2014-15.
Davis’ injury history is the most important for this franchise, but the core group isn’t immune, and we need to see New Orleans stay healthy if it’s going to stand a chance this upcoming season.
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Speaking of the core, there isn’t much to get excited about at this juncture. Tyreke Evans hit his ceiling his rookie season and hasn’t hit that mark since. Jrue Holiday is a one-time All-Star who, like Evans, hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Even guys such as Jones and Stephenson are going to be considered low-risk acquisitions because there simply isn’t much expected of them. And Omer Asik might have the worst contract in the NBA.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction: 34-48
Vegas has pegged the Pelicans’ over/under wins this season at 36.5. Unless New Orleans can stay healthy and watch all the stars align, their win total is going to be under this season.
Davis, as great as he is, needs help.
He’s worth every win this team is going to get, but he can’t turn this franchise isn’t a perennial contender on his own if his core can’t stay healthy — not to mention if he can’t stay healthy — and if the offense can’t become more creative under Alvin Gentry.
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Look for the Pelicans to be an entertaining team this season when healthy, and a team that leaves much to be desired when it’s not.
2016 NBA Gambling
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