Stats say Pelicans defense improving

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The Pelicans ranked No. 8 in defensive efficiency in January and are on the same path in February, a critical bounce back after slipping to No. 29 in December.

“Everyone is really playing a lot better,” said Darren Erman, the Pelicans’ assistant coach charged with leading the defense. “We had a solid start and then things got pretty bad, but the guys have worked really hard to get better and really, we’ve been pretty good for the past six weeks or so.”

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Erman pointed to an increase in switching at the power forward position as a particular boon to the Pelicans’ defensive improvement. While they’re cautious of routinely sending Davis out to cover the perimeter, leaving a rebounding dearth in his absence, Nikola Mirotic has filled the position admirably since he arrived.

“DeMarcus was playing really well defensively, especially in the last few weeks, and when he went out and we were in a really good place,” Erman said. “But we’ve managed to maintain recently because Mirotic has done what we’ve needed and can make those switches we ask him to.

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