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Here goes nothing...
Like chum at Sea World, the New Orleans Pelicans have been circled by national sharks for weeks now, and have done little to nothing to escape the grasp of the hungry horde.
But should the Pelicans fight their way back to mediocrity and possibly beyond, then the time is now.
The Pelicans face the worst team in the NBA with the worst average scoring margin and on the second night of a back-to-back, having lost to the Jazz on Friday by 26. The Pelicans follow up this contest against the sliding Grizzlies who have lost four straight, and then will again matchup with these Cavaliers in New Orleans days later.
The Pelicans don’t need to win this game. They need to dominate.
The time is now.
Cleveland | New Orleans |
---|---|
Pace: 95.5 (29th) | Pace: 102.2 (6th) |
ORtg: 106.9 (23rd) | ORtg: 113.8 (3rd) |
DRtg: 116.8 (30th) | DRtg: 113.0 (26th) |
Projected Starters: | |
Cleveland | New Orleans |
PG - Collin Sexton | PG - Elfrid Payton |
SG - Alec Burks | SG - Jrue Holiday |
SF - Rodney Hood | F - E'Twaun Moore |
F - Cedi Osman | PF - Julius Randle |
C - Tristan Thompson | C - Anthony Davis |
Injuries
Pelicans: Nikola Mirotic (out, ankle)
Cavaliers: Kevin Love (out, toe), David Nwaba (out), Ante Zizic (out)
For more on today’s matchup, please be sure to read Preston’s preview here.
To read up on the enemy, check out our sister site, Fear the Sword.
Also, who doesn’t like trade scenarios? Here’s one featuring a Julius Randle for Otto Porter Jr.exchange.
Where To Watch
What: New Orleans Pelicans (17-22) at Cleveland Cavaliers (8-31)
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
When: Saturday, January 5th, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Central
How: FSNO, 99.5 FM WRNO
Spread: -9.5
Join the conversation below and let’s geaux, Pels!