It’s too late in the season, but at least New Orleans is starting to play good basketball. With wins in four of their last five, the Pelicans are no longer a threat to the Lakers for the worst record in the Western Conference. The Pels also have two wins in their last three road games and go for the season sweep of the Wizards on Tuesday.
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SCHEDULING
The Pelicans opened the post-break part of their schedule with consecutive wins and have been playing well lately with four victories in their last five games overall. Half the wins during that span have come on the road, where the Pels have struggled for most of the year. Sunday’s win in Detroit gives New Orleans two wins in its past three road games and improved their road record to 7-21 SU and 12-16 ATS. Following Tuesday’s matchup with the Wizards, the Pels head back to the Big Easy for a pair of games. New Orleans has had at least one day off between games since the break and won’t play a back-to-back set until Mar. 2-3.
It’s been an interesting opening to the post-break schedule for the Wizards, who were forced to play three games in three nights out of the chute. Washington originally had Feb. 18 as a scheduled off day, but the team made up its game with the Utah Jazz, which was postponed several weeks ago due to severe weather. The Wiz won its first two before faltering Saturday in Miami. The good news is that they have two days off to recoup before opening another back-to-back set with the Pelicans. That opening stretch has the Wizards playing five games in seven days to start the second part of its season.
INJURIES
Center Omar Asik exited the last game with a sprained right ankle is questionable to suit up in Washington. He played just over seven minutes Sunday in Detroit before leaving with five points. The Pelicans will also be without the services of guard Tyreke Evans for the remainder of the year after having surgery on his right knee.
The Wizards will likely be without backup point guard Gary Neal, who has missed the last five games with a sore right leg. He is questionable to play against the Pelicans.
KEY MATCHUP
Much was expected from Anthony Davis this season: An MVP, defensive player of the year, a postseason run. All of it was in reach for the Pelicans big man after turning in one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history, according to player efficiency rating, in his age-21 season. That hasn’t happened just yet. Injuries have marred what was expected to be a banner season in New Orleans, dragging Davis down with them. But on Sunday afternoon in Detroit, Davis gave us a glimpse of what fans can look forward to. Dunks. Floaters. Mid-range jumpers. And yes, even the three-ball. The whole package was finally being realized like never before. Davis finished with 59 points to go along with 20 rebounds and four assists in a 111-106 Pelicans win. Davis is a gifted player on a team without many of them. But he is the unquestioned leader, topping the squad in points, rebounds, field goal percentage, blocks, and even steals. His teammates created space and Davis took advantage. The Pistons failed to double team, even when Davis was dropping everything. We can’t expect results like that every night, but at least for one, everything seemed within reach.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Playing the Miami Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Wizards looked exhausted. And they probably were since it was their third game in as many nights, an occurrence brought about by the great blizzard last month. The Wiz and Jazz made up their snowed out affair last Thursday and Washington looked the part. At least now the Wiz will have a few days to rest before tangling with the Pelicans. Washington was torched by Heat big man Hassan Whiteside, who went for 25 points and 23 rebounds in a little over 29 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s game. The Pelicans are excited about that since Davis just had a game for the ages against a solid Detroit front. Expect AD to be the center of attention and again put up monster numbers for the Pels. Davis went for 18 and 11 when New Orleans beat Washington on Dec. 11. He could have his way with Washington’s bigs, who bolstered the group with Markeiff Morris, but will have trouble slowing Davis down.
New Orleans 109, Washington 104
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards will square off Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center. You can watch the game live on NBA TV.
