New Orleans held opponents under 100 points just four times during the previous 82-game regular season, so even though it was a preseason contest, Wednesday’s clampdown defensive performance at Dallas was notable. The Mavericks were limited to just 97 points, as well as 35 percent shooting from the field. The Pelicans showed some of their potential to defend once – now they need to repeat that kind of stinginess Friday vs. Washington (7 p.m., GCSEN on TV; WWL on radio), on the final night of the NBA’s preseason schedule.

“We had success on the defensive end of the floor last game,” forward Saddiq Bey said after Friday’s morning shootaround. “Can we do it again? You have 82 games – you don’t want to be an inconsistent team, to be good on defense one day, but then give up 180 (points) the next day. We want to be able to play hard defense consistently, no matter what our offense looks like.”

Bey praised the Pelicans’ energy and effort against the Mavericks, adding “we have a great defensive coordinator (Dale Osbourne), a great system.”

Asked what’s most important for New Orleans players to embrace a defense-first mentality, Bey responded, “Your internal intention to do it. If you have five guys playing hard on the defensive end, when someone comes into the game (as a sub), they want to be able to keep the intensity up. If we come in saying defense is our focus, and that offense will take care of itself, we’ll be alright.”

Other notes after Friday’s shootaround:

Among current New Orleans players, Jordan Poole, Julian Reese and AJ Johnson are former Wizards. Bey was on Washington’s roster in 2024-25, but never played in a game for the Wizards, as he recovered from the knee injury he sustained with Atlanta in March 2024. …

Bey said he’s ready to make whatever adjustment is necessary in terms of his role this season. He started 64 times last season (out of 72 appearances), but it’s unclear who will be in new head coach Jamahl Mosley’s first unit in Wednesday's regular season opener vs. Indiana. Mosley has used three different starting combinations in preseason.

“I try to be a Swiss Army Knife,” Bey said. “This year might be a different role. It might be more on the defensive side, (or being) more of a connector (passer on offense). Whatever it takes for the team to win, I’m prepared to do.”