Hornets to Close Out Road Trip Against Surging Pelicans

CHARLOTTE HORNETS (8-29) at NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (24-17)

Injury Report

Hornets: Bryce McGowens (L Hip Flexor Strain), Brandon Miller (Low Back), and Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia) are questionable. Gordon Hayward (L Calf) and Mark Williams (Low Back) are out

Pelicans: N/A.

Game Preview

The Hornets will finish off this mini three-game road trip in New Orleans, hoping, searching, and praying for answers. Charlotte has lost 16 of its last 17 games and in recent losses, they've not been competitive whatsoever losing by an average of 26 points in their last three.

During this road trip, Steve Clifford's squad has not held up well in the paint, getting outscored 52-38 and 58-38. Tonight, it the challenge inside won't be any easier thanks to the duo of Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas who are a combined 378/561 (67%) on shots five feet from the rim or closer. Zion, specifically, lives in the paint taking the second-most shots from that range of anyone in the league, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Mark Williams still on the shelf, the Hornets need better play out of Nick Richards along with some help from the four-man. In the previous meeting between these two squads, Valanciunas and Williams combined for 50 points and 24 rebounds.

The Pelicans are 7-3 over their last 10 and will play in their first home game since January 5th. They managed their west coast trip fairly well winning three of the five games, including a split with the Dallas Mavericks who they are tied with in the Western Conference standings.

Key Matchup: Hornets' bigs vs. Zion Williamson

Zion has had a great first half of the season, but has really turned it up a notch here of late scoring 60 points over his last two games combined. For the month of January, Willamson is averaging 21.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 62% from the field. If the Hornets allow Zion to bully them inside, it's going to be another long night and a not so fun flight back to Charlotte.

Projected Starting Lineups

CHARLOTTE HORNETS	NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
LaMelo Ball	CJ McCollum
Terry Rozier	Brandon Ingram
Cody Martin	Herbert Jones
Miles Bridges	Zion Williamson
Nick Richards	Jonas Valanciunas

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