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After missing the last three games due to bilateral knee tendinopathy, Lonzo Ball will return to the starting lineup, but he’ll be on a minutes restriction.
Stan Van Gundy has elected to go with the typical starting lineup (Ball, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Steven Adams) which tip-offed the first nine games of the season together.
This decision is far from a surprise as this five-man unit has performed well during their minutes together thus far on the season.
So far this season, this lineup has played 126 minutes and has a net rating of +8.5.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 20, 2021
That rating is 7th best in the league of lineups that have played at least 100 minutes. https://t.co/KCEtjy7DpJ
For those wishing the youth movement begins in earnest, unfortunately this means that Nickeil Alexander-Walker will move back to the bench after starting the last three games.
For more on tonight’s matchup, please give Travis’ preview a read.
Geaux Pels!
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (5-7) at Utah Jazz (9-4)
When: January 19, 8:00 p.m. Central
Where to watch: FSNO, NBA TV
Where to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM
For more Pelicans talk, subscribe to The Bird Calls podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @OlehKosel.