Pelicans' Jrue Holiday: Expected to come off bench in debut

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said that Holiday (personal) will likely come off the bench in his season debut Friday against the Trail Blazers and play fewer than 30 minutes, Daniel Sallerson of Pelicans.com reports.

Analysis:

Holiday, who has missed the first 12 games of the season while on personal leave, has maintained his conditioning during his time away from the team, so it doesn't seem that Gentry harbors any concern about the point guard's ability to play big minutes. Instead, limiting Holiday in his first game back is likely just a measure to help Gentry figure out how to organize his rotation with a key player back in the fold. It shouldn't be long before Holiday displaces Tim Frazier as the starting point guard, a role that should routinely net him 30-to-35 minutes per game.