After a couple rough defensive performances to open 2021-22, New Orleans was much better at that end of the floor during a two-game series at Minnesota, bumping the Pelicans up to 17th in the NBA in efficiency (107.1 points allowed per 100 possessions, via NBA.com). While that may not sound like reason to second line down Poydras Street, New Orleans (1-3) has been a bottom-10 defensive team in recent years, making it imperative that the Pelicans improve significantly in that category.
New Orleans’ defense is about to be tested in the Smoothie King Center over the next few days, hosting top-10 attacks in Atlanta (No.