Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
- By Cardell Dudley
- Dec 19, 2017
- 2 min read
Wizards (16-14) vs Pelicans (15-15)
When: Tuesday, December 19th at 7 p.m. Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. TV: NBC Sports Washington / Radio: 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: Otto Porter (Questionable, Hip), Sheldon Mac (Out, Achilles)
Pelicans: Anthony Davis (Questionable, Ankle), Alexis Ajinca (Out, Knee), Frank Jackson(Out, Foot), Tony Allen (Out, Leg), Solomon Hill (Out, Hamstring)
Notes -
The Wizards play host to the New Orleans Pelicans tonight in the final game of their four-game home-stand.
Washington has won 10 of the last 11 games against New Orleans, including a series sweep last year.
Washington has only lost one game since New Orleans changed names to the Pelicans in the 2013-14 season.
Washington averaged a 13.5-point victory in the two meetings last year, their largest average margin of victory against any team in the NBA.
Wizards -
105.2 - points per game
103 - points against
45.6 - Field goal %
Pelicans -
110.8 - points per game
111.7 - points against
49.0 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins: Simply two of the best big men and players in the entire league. Both pose the ultimate test for any front court in the NBA due to their center size and perimeter oriented forward skill set. Cousins is averaging 26.2 points, 12.2 rebounds , 5.1 assist, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game on 47 percent shooting from the field, 36 percent shooting from deep and 73 percent from the line. Davis himself brings an average of 25.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1.1 steals a game on 56 percent shooting from the field, 34 percent from three and 79 percent from the stripe. Not only are they productive, their efficient as well. Expect Scott Brooks to use his front court depth to try and contain those two. The Pelicans go as they go and if Washington's big's can make life tough for Cousins and AD, Washington increases their chance of finishing their home court stand at 3-1.
Jrue Holiday: is quietly having an outstanding season. The nine year veteran guard is posting 18.1 points, 5.6 assist and 4.4 rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 88 percent shooting from the line. He provides balance to the Pelicans deadly inside attack. With Rajon Rondo setting the table, it allows Holiday to be more in attack and play-making mode. That means Wall and Beal will have to be locked in defensively, because allowing Holiday to get hot, means the Wizards are in trouble. Remember, when the Wizards allow 100 plus points, it usually means they lose, the Pelicans coming in averaging nearly 111 a game, something will have to give tonight.
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