The Pelicans open the preseason with Orlando

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It's a big Monday for New Orleans sports fans.

The Saints take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road on Monday Night Football, and the Pelicans play their first preseason game at the Smoothie King Center.

Here at home there is a lot of activity between the Smoothie King Center and the dome. Soon fans will flock to the mixer to hear tipoff against the Orlando Magic at 12:30 p.m.

The Pels are back in town after training camp in Nashville.

They hope to build on last season's success, when they reached the playoffs with a record 49 wins.

Last season, Zion Williamson stayed healthy, played 70 games and averaged about 23 points per game.

Fans are also excited to get a look at how newly acquired point guard Dejounte Murray fits into his new team.

However, the team will be without sharpshooter Trey Murphy III. He suffered a right hamstring strain that may also keep him out for the start of the regular season.

Head coach Willie Green says the starters will play about 20 minutes on Monday.

And let's not forget CJ McCollum's career-high 3-point success rate last season, nearly 43 percent accuracy from behind the arc. He will also be one that fans keep an eye on.

Green says there are times when the Pels lose position, meaning no traditional center in lineups and a greater reliance on guards and wings.

Tune in to Gray Media's new Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network to see how it all unfolds.

Monday's game will be the only preseason “home” game for the Pels.

They play in Orlando on October 11th, Miami on October 13th and their final preseason game is in Houston on October 15th, which will be broadcast live on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network, Channel 7.

The season opener on the 23rd against Chicago will also be broadcast on Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network and on WAFB Channel 9.3.

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