New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum believes he can improve his shooting this season. Through 13 games, the 31-year-old is averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.4 steals.
He is shooting a low of 39.1% from the field and 27.9% from 3-point range. For more in-depth stats, McCollum is shooting 93-of-238 from the floor and 24-of-86 from downtown.
Some NBA betting sites are showing the Pelicans the 13th-best odds to win the championship in 2023. A few sportsbooks are giving high odds to the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.
CJ: “I don’t think I could have shot worse than I did. You look at my career, how I played, how I shot. I think I’ll go in for some parity on open shots.
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) November 14, 2022
“I don’t think I could shoot any worse than I did,” CJ McCollum said after Monday’s shootaround. “You look at my career, how I played, how I shot. I think I’ll go in for some parity on open shots.
However, the overall performance was excellent. In 62 starts last season, the guard finished with a total of three double-doubles. Of course, he has three double-doubles in 13 starts this season.
Pelicans guard CJ McCollum says his team needs to shoot better this season to win more games.
Following the Pelicans’ 119-106 win over the Houston Rockets, coach Willie Green spoke to reporters about the importance of trying 3-pointers every game.
“I think we need to get up a few more threes,” Green explained. “We’ve had opportunities in particular. I think this will help the gap. It’s something we need to do more of.”
So far, the Pelicans are attempting 27.8 threes per game, fewest in the NBA. They rank 27th in the league in effective 3-pointers, averaging 10.2 per game. CJ McCollum is ready to surprise fans.
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s season debut could come tomorrow against the Pelicans. For the first time, it has risen to the level of suspicion.
The Grizzlies also have Jay Morant back after missing one game with an ankle sprain. Desmond Bane (toe) could miss his second straight game. https://t.co/N9wefLNKOG
— Tim McMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 14, 2022
New Orleans is one of the best teams based solely on pure shooting, though. The Pelicans are sixth overall, shooting 47.9 percent. Their 3-point shooting percentage is 36.5%, which ranks 11th in the league.
Entering Tuesday’s matchup against the Grizzlies, the Pelicans are sixth in points per game (116.5). At 7-6, the team’s scoring potential isn’t a problem.
But if CJ McCollum can make more of his shots, it will definitely help the Pelicans win more games. You need him to shoot better than 28% to beat Memphis for a more comfortable win.
Also, Grizzlies guard Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against New Orleans. He can make his season debut at the Smoothie King Center.
