Zion, Pelicans Need A Rebound Victory At Cavaliers

Fresh off a heartbreaking loss to Memphis, the Pelicans travel to take on the Cavaliers.

The New Orleans Pelicans (16-12) hit the road Thursday night to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-12). New Orleans had its four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday when Ja Morant hit a game-winning shot to give Memphis a two-point victory. The Cavaliers are on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Cleveland has beaten New Orleans three straight times dating back to 2021, though the Pelicans are winners of seven of the last ten games against the Cavs.

Cleveland enters Thursday's game with a multitude of injuries to key players. Both Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) are expected to be sidelined for a while. Guard Ricky Rubio is out for personal reasons. Rumors are Rubio and the team are expected to part ways and are looking for a suitable way for both parties to be happy. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell is listed as day-to-day with an illness that kept him out of Wednesday's game with the Jazz. Mitchell will be a game-time decision to suit up.

Through the various injuries throughout the year, Cleveland's offense has sputtered at times. They rank No. 23 in the league in points per game (112.0) and No. 23 in three-point percentage. Their calling card is defense, where they rank Top 10 in opponent scoring, opponent shooting percentage, and opponent points in the paint. New Orleans has witnessed firsthand the stifling defense of the Cavs. The Pelicans have not scored more than 108 points against Cleveland since April of 2021.  

New Orleans would like to get Zion Williamson involved in this game, granted he is available to play. Williamson again popped up on the injury report and listed as questionable with a non-Covid illness. This was the same designation given to him before Tuesday night's game versus the Grizzlies. Williamson played in that game, but was hugely ineffective in the fourth quarter. Zion scored just two points, and had 0 rebounds and zero assists. 

Feb 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) steals the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Williamson has had success in his career versus the Cavs, averaging 24 points a game on 64% shooting. Along with Zion listed on the injury report, starters Herb Jones and Jonas Valanciunas are game-time decisions as well. If all three players can't go, more pressure will be on Brandon Ingram to deliver. Ingram averages more points on the road (24.1) this season than he does at home. 

A recent point of contention this season is the Pelicans lack of three-point attempts. New Orleans ranks No. 27 in three-point attempts per game. One of the team's best three-point shooters, Matt Ryan, is sidelined with an elbow injury that required surgery. Rookie sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins has found little playing time since Trey Murphy III's return. On the season, Hawkins is averaging 24 minutes per game, but since Nov. 29, he's only played that many minutes one time. If some of the starters are unable to play, Hawkins may see an uptick in minutes in Thursday night.

New Orleans is on a four game road winning streak, and are .500 away from the Smoothie King Center on the season. After Thursday's game, the Pelicans return home for a five game homestand, starting on Saturday night against the Houston Rockets.