The focus on an NBA team’s success, or lack of it, frequently centers on how it plays at the offensive end, but for New Orleans (17-16) and many other clubs, defense is a far bigger X-factor. The Pelicans have generated excellent scoring numbers on a consistent basis throughout the entire month of December, but their likelihood of winning is more dependent on whether they can stop the opposition.
Case in point: New Orleans is 11-3 this season when opponents shoot 33.3 percent or worse from three-point range. The Pelicans are also 6-1 when the other team finishes under 30 percent on treys.