With Brandon Ingram out tonight, CJ McCollum is a pretty simple target. He should be a massive source of points and assists, but I don’t like the value there. However, I do think we’re seeing some very solid volume from behind the arc.
CJ has been incredible since the deal to the Pelicans. He hasn’t been a natural PG throughout his career but has thrived since getting the opportunity. He got his first look in a Pelicans uniform without Ingram last night, and he certainly delivered. He had 32 points, 11 assists, and 5 threes made. I love that he fired off 10 attempts from deep against a tough defense, despite only getting 31 min due to a blowout. Tonight he won’t struggle to find good looks.
The Magic have been getting torched from 3 by guards, more specifically the PG position. In their last 6 games they have allowed: 3 to Payne, 3 to Tyus Jones and Ja Morant, 4 to Malachi Flynn, 3 to Haliburton, 3 to Haliburton (they played twice in a row, not a typo), and 4 to Trae Young. For the season, the Magic are 24th in 3 pointers made, and 27th in 3 point percentage allowed. CJ will have all the shots he wants tonight without Ingram, and can’t imagine a much better opportunity to light it up from deep.
