Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves
When: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 8:00 p.m ET
Where: Target Center
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans
After a heartbreaking loss to the Nets in overtime on Tuesday, New Orleans returns immediately to the court on Wednesday for a road trip to Minnesota looking to break a 13-game losing streak. The contest will be a match-up of two bottom-ten defenses this season with New Orleans ranking 28th in defensive rating and Minnesota slotting in at 23rd.
Despite last night’s strong performance at the end of regulation, the Pelicans still rank among the worst in the league in clutch situations. The team’s net rating of -30.2 in 65 clutch minutes is 28th in the league. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, rank 10th in the league in net rating in the same scenarios, having played 45 minutes in clutch situations.
The Pelicans could be even more shorthanded on Wednesday than they were on Tuesday. Lonzo Ball stepped into the starting lineup with JJ Redick out. However, Ball found himself listed as questionable on the injury report with a hip contusion. If both are out, expect Nickeil Alexander-Walker to step into the starting lineup and E’Twaun Moore to potentially see more action.
