New Orleans Pelicans (front end) at Cleveland Cavaliers (back end)
Team Totals: Pelicans 101.8, Cavs 108.8
Injury Report: Cavs haven’t submitted, Josh Hart (Q, knee), Brandon Ingram (Q, ankle), Jonas Valanciunas (Q, illness)
Pelicans projected starters: Devonte’ Graham, Garrett Temple, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Herb Jones, Jonas Valanciunas
Cavs projected starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Green quotes: Said Jose Alvarado continues to provide a spark off the bench and they want to continue to see him grow.
Bickerstaff quotes: Said Garland’s ability to read the defense has been awesome, talked about the G League team helping the development for some of their younger guys, said ball movement is the foundation of their offense.
Stats and Notes:
*The injuries to the Pelicans will be a big factor here. Josh Hart had some pain in his knee against the Celtics, and there really hasn’t been any indication that Ingram is ready to play. If both guys are out, there will be major opportunities for NAW and Graham on the perimeter. You would think that JV has a good chance to play today. If he doesn’t, it’ll be Willy Hernangomez season.
*If JoVal plays, it’s a pretty bad matchup for him. However, Valanciunas has a per-36 line of 22/15/3 without BI and it’s with a big hit to his efficiency anyway. He’d be in play here.
*If Hart and BI are out, Graham would likely get the better matchup against Garland. We’ve seen Graham put up some numbers without BI, posting a 17/3/6 per-36 line on bad efficiency.
*NAW would get a bit of a bad matchup against Okoro, but he’s been able to light up tough matchups like Matisse Thybulle. The opportunity would outweigh the bad matchup. Herb would also get a bad matchup, but he would be an option, too. I would also expect the Pelicans to use Jaxson Hayes at PF in this matchup.
*If Josh Hart can go, that would likely put Herb on Garland. If Hart is out, then it’ll likely be Temple on Garland. It’s not the best matchup for Garland here, but he’s always on the table.
*If JV is out, that sets up for a massive spot for Jarrett Allen.
L.A. Clippers (back end) at Indiana Pacers
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