Pelicans Seek To Continue Winning Streak Versus Struggling Hornets

The New Orleans Pelicans (14-11) seek their third straight victory when they travel to face the Charlotte Hornets (7-15) Friday night. Pelicans star Zion Williamson remains questionable with an ankle injury suffered Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williamson missed his first game of the season on Wednesday due to injury in the Pelicans rout of the Washington Wizards.

In Zion's absence, Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 40 points to lead the Pels. Ingram was on a mini-slump heading into the game, shooting under 42% in his last two contests. B.I. should find little issues continuing his groove against a struggling Charlotte defense. The Hornets rank near the bottom of the league defensively in opponent points per game (No. 26) and opponent field goal percentage (No. 25).

New Orleans has won six of seven games on the road against Charlotte, and the Hornets have the second-most home losses in the Eastern Conference this season. Their struggles link to the absence of their best player LaMelo Ball, who's been sidelined since Nov. 26 with an ankle injury. Ball leads the Hornets in points (24.7), assists (8.2), and steals (1.4). Shooting guard Terry Rozier is second on the team with 23.9 points and 7.6 assists per game.

Rozier's career-high in points (43) came against the Pelicans back in 2021. Excluding last season's game where Rozier was hurt and only played ten minutes, the Hornets guard is averaging 27 points a game against New Orleans in the last four contests. New Orleans must contain Rozier's scoring opportunities to stifle Charlotte's offensive attack. Getting off to a quick start can aide New Orleans with focusing on defense.

Charlotte is second-to-last in the NBA in first-quarter scoring. New Orleans ranks No. 6 in this stat, averaging nearly 30 points in the opening quarter. The Pelicans were down 18-4 to start the game Wednesday night versus the Wizards before closing the quarter on a 24-12 run. New Orleans' three-point shooting came alive in the game, allowing them to run away with the victory in Washington. Trey Murphy III made a team-high eight three-point shots, and there should be more opportunities for him on Friday.

The Hornets are near the bottom of the league in opponent three-point shooting, ranking No. 28. Murphy III and CJ McCollum will get plenty of opportunities at open looks, they need to knock down shots. The Pelicans will also have a clear advantage in the paint. 2022 first-round pick Mark Williams is doubtful for Charlotte with a back injury. Jonas Valanciunas should look to assert himself against the Hornets' lack of interior size.

Stacking victories against struggling competition is vital for the Pelicans early in the season. After Friday's game against the Hornets, the Pels head to San Antonio to take on a Spurs team that's lost 18 straight games.