NBA Matchups: February 2

NOP @ CHA | HOU @ IND | MIN @ MEM | PHI @ LAC

New Orleans Pelicans at Charlotte Hornets

Team Totals: Pelicans 112.5, Hornets 119

Injury Report: Josh Green (P, thumb)

Pelicans projected starters: Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Derik Queen

Hornets projected starters: LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate

Borrego quotes: Said “we’ll take it” on a close game against the 76ers on a B2B, said Bey has been playing great for them all year.

Lee quotes: Said Grant Williams has been adding physicality and basketball IQ, said Diabate allows them to play more switch defense.

Stats and Notes: 

*What a mismatch here. The Pelicans are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, while the Hornets have been the best on the boards in 2026. The Pelicans cannot contain the paint and are one of the worst transition defenses, and Herb Jones‘ return hasn’t helped their defense much, either. For the Hornets, they have been able to limit C&S and transition, and their rim defense has been trending up, too. They aren’t a big helping team, which could set up the lead guys like Zion Williamson.

*Zion Williamson has been playing heavier minutes, as he’s been able to hit 34 recently. He actually hasn’t been driving much lately, and he only has 2.4 minutes of touch time (think there’s a chance this data is wrong, though). This matchup is a pretty good one against Miles Bridges and a team that doesn’t help off much, and it’s not a B2B, either. He’s in a good spot.

*Trey Murphy III is in a slump with three terrible games in a row. He’s had some really ugly shots, and it’s not like he’s had some tough matchups. This is a decent one with Kon Knueppel likely on him, and James Borrego still wasn’t even cutting Trey’s minutes despite the slump. He could bust out of it this time.

*Saddiq Bey is on a tear and is coming off a 34-point game in Philly, and he’s been ultra-efficient with a 65.2 TS% since he’s been starting in the last 10. He’s been playing off-ball a good bit and is still getting 40.0% of his makes unassisted. His matchup is likely going to be Brandon Miller in a subpar spot, and the Hornets don’t give up much C&S. I don’t love it for Bey.

*Derik Queen should have a little more leash in this one. He’s run into some tougher matchups against centers, and this time, he won’t deal with a heavy-usage C across from him. There’s still some downside to him because the Hornets run so much PNR, and it’s going to be tougher for him to hold up in those coverages.