The banged-up Pelicans

The 4-9 New Orleans Pelicans have been showcasing some improvements lately. After opening the season with four straight losses, they won four of their next nine games, which is decent when you consider how young the nucleus is and how injuries are suddenly piling up.

Excluding prized rookie Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played all season due to knee soreness, the team’s injury report includes six rotation guys. The list includes all three pieces of from the Anthony Davis trade, as the trio haven’t been complete in the last five games – Brandon Ingram (missed last four), Lonzo Ball (missed last five), and Josh Hart (missed last three). Each are playing a key role in the Pelicans system, with Ingam being the leading scorer (25.9 PPG) and rebounder (7.3 RPG) per game, Ball being second in assists (6.1 APG) and steals (1.6 SPG), and Josh Hart bringing energy off the bench (12.6 PPG).

With all three unsure to play, one of the first-round picks of the team, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is benefitting well. He’s averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 47.5%-shooting in his last two. Alexander-Walker, along with resident veterans Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick, should be a handful for the Blazers, who are on the second night of a back-to-back.

Are the Blazers lottery-bound?

The Portland Trail Blazers dropped to a 5-9 record following Tuesday’s 136-108 loss to the Houston Rockets. Damian Lillard, the only consistent part of the Blazers, had an off-night and only recorded 13 points on 4-for-15 shooting – he tried passing more than usual and had 11 assists, but they simply couldn’t handle the Rockets.

The defense also had a long night, as they gave up a combined 64 points and 15 assists to James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and the Blazer bigs got pounded by Clint Capela for 20 points and 22 rebounds.

Problems are just overflowing for Portland, and Lillard’s MVP numbers (28.6 PPG, 7.1 APG) have been going down the drain. It may be also safe to say that the Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum duo have ran its course, because even in their best nights, the Blazers are not looking as dangerous like in seasons past.

Tomorrow is again a new day to try and dig themselves out of the hole they are in, but since it’s on the second night of a back-to-back against an opponent that likes to run, it doesn’t look encouraging for Rip City.

PREDICTION:

This may be Carmelo Anthony’s debut for the Blazers, but it’s hard to expect much from the 35-year-old who hasn’t played NBA ball in a year.

The Pelicans should be able to get this one if they try muscling and running past the tired Blazers.