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The Smoothie King Center opens on Halloween night to a potential nightmare. Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans welcome the reigning champion Golden State Warriors for their one regular season visit to the Crescent City. One might have hoped the Houston Rockets would provide a stiff challenge last night and wear down the Warriors for this second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA). Those hopes went unfulfilled as Steph Curry and company dominated the Rockets, handing them their second consecutive 20 point loss. At home no less.
Just two Warriors, Draymond Green (31) and Andre Iguodala (30), eclipsed 30 minutes last night for the Warriors. The only players to post a negative plus-minus were deep bench guys. Thirteen different players got in the game last night for Golden State. The Pelicans might be lucky to have 12 men available tonight.
In the good news department, which is only mostly occupied by spiders and cobwebs, Luke Babbitt and Omer Asik might be available tonight according to reports from practice on Friday. Quincy Pondexter and Tyreke Evans were also spotted on the court doing some work.
Quincy Pondexter and Omer Asik are in uniform and on practice floor for #Pelicans. Not certain how much they're doing as far as contact.
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) October 30, 2015
Tyreke is able to get out on the floor and shoot a bit as well. #Pelicans
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) October 30, 2015
Despite concerns to the contrary Alvin Gentry has largely held to his word about avoiding rushing players back from injury. Jrue Holiday played 21 minutes on Wednesday night. Alexis Ajinca, returning from a hamstring strain, has logged just 24 minutes in two games. Luke Babbitt and Omer Asik were rumored to possibly be available by opening night and instead have been held out this week from games. Is that injuries taking longer than expected to recover or caution between the coaching staff and trainers? Really we're all just guessing.
For more on this match-up be sure to check out our game preview.
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| 2015-16 NBA Regular Season | ||
 | vs |  |
|---|---|---|
| October 31, 2015, 6:30 PM Central | ||
| Smoothie King Center - New Orleans, LA | ||
| NBA TV | ||
| Charter - N/A, Cox - 1325, DirecTV - 216, U-Verse - 1632 | ||
| Fox Sports New Orleans | ||
| Charter - 810, Cox - 1038, DirecTV - 676, U-Verse - 1757 | ||
| WRNO 99.5 FM | ||
| Projected Starters | ||
| Jrue Holiday | PG | Stephen Curry |
| Eric Gordon | SG | Klay Thompson |
| Dante Cunningham | SF | Harrison Barnes |
| Anthony Davis | PF | Draymond Green |
| Kendrick Perkins | C | Festus Ezeli |
| Advanced Stats (2015-16) via Basketball Reference | ||
| 100.1 (11th) | Pace | 100.9 (10th) |
| 111.4 (3rd) | ORtg | 93.6 (27th) |
| 93.4 (4th) | DRtg | 110.5 (26th) |
| +18.0 (1st) | Net Rating | -17.0 (27th) |
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Follow Quentin @HaynesTheWriter