Want to know how the New Orleans Pelicans are faring this season? Well, beyond simply looking at the standings and won-loss column, there are many specific individual categories that will dictate whether the Pelicans return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Here are some of the key statistics to monitor throughout the 2016-17 regular season (Part two Tuesday: Backcourt stats to watch)
Alexis Ajinca
Fouls per minute. Ajinca has proven to be one of the better backup centers in the NBA over his two-plus seasons with New Orleans, but if there’s been one stumbling block to more opportunities, it’s foul trouble.