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The New Orleans Pelicans continue to find themselves victims of losing streaks, currently amidst a four-game slide. The first task at managing such a trend will require the Pels to cut down on their season-high 22 turnovers on Monday night against the Boston Celtics.
To that end, head coach Alvin Gentry has elected to insert former Wizard Tim Frazier into the starting lineup, likely with the notion that Frazier’s inclusion will minimize opening period turnovers and give Jrue Holiday a chance to operate off the ball as he recently requested.
Tim Frazier will start tonight for the @PelicansNBA during their rematch with the Wizards. Frank Jackson sprained his right ankle during pregame warmups and will be out tonight vs Washington
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) November 28, 2018
The Pelicans carried an overwhelming 8-1 advantage in the Smoothie King Center prior to Monday night’s clunker and will hunt for redemption tonight against a familiar foe in these Washington Wizards.
On Saturday night’s matchup at the Capital One Arena, the Wizards, led by Otto Porter Jr.’s season-high 29 points, shot 57% from the field with 30 assists and 70 points in the paint.
Injury Report
Wizards: Dwight Howard (Out - gluteal soreness)
Pelicans: Elfrid Payton (Out - finger), Frank Jackson (Out - ankle)
Per Brooks, Dwight Howard did not travel to New Orleans. Thomas Bryant will start tonight. #WizPelicans | #DCFamily
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 28, 2018
What to Watch for
The Washington Wizards will again be without their starting center (Howard), but the New Orleans Pelicans return with theirs. Davis had previously sat out due to a sore right hip in the teams’ first matchup. With Davis on the bench, the Pelicans suffer a horrifying 123.5 Defensive Rating. This, coupled with Porter’s shooting, likely led to the Wizards’ numbers on Saturday night. The Pelicans enjoy a more manageable rating of 112.0 with him in the lineup, and should capitalize on that tonight in New Orleans.
On Saturday night, John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter Jr. each converted seven field goals in addition to eight from Austin Rivers. If the Pelicans can’t slow the Wizards’ perimeter scoring Davis’ presence in the paint may be negated.
| Washington | New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Pace: 101.8 (7th) | Pace: 103.9 (3rd) |
| ORtg: 110.1 (10th) | ORtg: 113.8 (5th) |
| DRtg: 114.6 (28th) | DRtg: 113.2 (27th) |
| Projected Starters: | |
| Washington | New Orleans |
| PG - John Wall | PG - Tim Frazier |
| SG - Bradley Beal | SG - Jrue Holiday |
| SF - Kelly Oubre Jr | F - E'Twaun Moore |
| F - Otto Porter Jr | PF - Nikola Mirotic |
| C - Thomas Bryant | C - Anthony Davis |
Be sure to check out Chris’ full preview here!
Geaux Pels!
What: New Orleans Pelicans vs Washington Wizards
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Central
How: FSNO, 99.5 FM WRNO
Spread: -6.5