NBA Matchups: November 20

NOP @ CLE | CHI @ MIL | IND @ HOU | PHI @ MEM | POR @ OKC | NYK @ PHX | ATL @ GSW | ORL @ LAC

New Orleans Pelicans (back end) at Cleveland Cavaliers (back end)

Team Totals: Pelicans 105, Cavs 118

Injury Report: Both teams B2B, expecting Darius Garland and Trey Murphy to sit

Pelicans projected starters: Brandon Boston Jr., Brandon Ingram, Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Yves Missi

Cavs projected starters: Ty Jerome, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen (Note: I would expect several Cavs to rest here, confident Garland will be out)

Green quotes: Said they want to protect the paint more, said McCollum went through practice, said JRE is hitting the boards for them, said they need more transition scoring, said Dejounte did some shooting but isn’t cleared for contact, said Hawkins did some stuff in practice but Herb did not, said Murphy is still finding his rhythm, said “we got beat, there’s no way around it,” said he hasn’t seen anything like this with injuries.

Atkinson quotes: Said Garland is always making the right play and “has an incredible IQ”, said their depth showed up against the Hornets with Okoro hurting his ankle, said Ty Jerome got the start because he earned it and they didn’t want to wear out Garland, said they like the zone look and they played it “85% of the fourth quarter”, said he expects everyone to be watching the game in Boston, said he hopes Wade and Okoro can play in Boston, said he’s always liked zone since he was the coach of the Nets, said Garland “is a little banged up” and “it’s the natural wear and tear on him,” said they will continue to manage guys in B2Bs, said he went with Niang over Allen late because they were trailing, said CPJ was great, said the schedule has been really tough (sounds like rest is coming).

Stats and Notes:

*The Cavs are likely resting some guys here, and I would guess Darius Garland would be the most likely to sit out based on the comments above. The Cavs continue to have an edge with transition scoring at fifth in transition points, while they’re allowing the 10th-lowest transition points. Cleveland has also been eighth in rim defense to help them rank seventh in defense on the season. The Pelicans just can’t get anything going on the offensive side and rank 29th in offense since Zion Williamson went down (30th in the halfcourt). Their defense has also been a disaster, ranking 28th since Herb Jones went down. They’re allowing the second-most rim points in the league and the third-most transition points. The Cavs should be able to score at will.

*The Pelicans signed Elfrid Payton this morning, and he’s probably going to make it to Cleveland in time for this gutted roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pels sit Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, and maybe some others.

*The Cavs are almost certainly sitting out multiple players. I would bet money that Darius Garland is out, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley all sit this one out.

No idea who is playing yet

Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks