[8:30 PM] Pelicans @ Suns

Who will WIN this matchup?

New Orleans Pelicans (7-17)

@ Phoenix Suns (7-16)

 

• Star forward Anthony Davis will be back in the lineup for the struggling New Orleans Pelicans when they wrap up a back-to-back at the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Davis was given a night of rest Saturday at the Los Angeles Clippers and his shorthanded teammates offered little resistance in a 133-105 loss. It was the fifth consecutive defeat for the Pelicans, who also played without guards Jrue Holiday (toe) and E’Twaun Moore (toe).

• The Suns will be opening a three-game homestand with a slight dose of momentum after knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers 119-115 on the road Friday night. Eric Bledsoe celebrated his 27th birthday with 30 points, nine assists and three steals and four others scored in double figures for Phoenix.

• The only other time Davis missed a game this season was Nov. 16 at Orlando and he returned from that absence to score 38 points in consecutive contests, as well as 34.6 over the ensuing seven outings. Rookie forward Cheick Diallo, who had played a total of seven minutes entering Saturday’s game, took advantage of a rare opportunity with 19 points, 10 rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes off the bench. Solomon Hill chipped in 13 points — his best total since Nov. 1 — while hitting his only two 3-point tries in 30 turnover-free minutes.

• While Bledsoe remains the squad’s most reliable offensive force, veteran Leandro Barbosa has asserted himself in a big way over the past three games. He is averaging 14.7 points on 54.5 percent shooting in just over 20 minutes per contest during that stretch, including a season-high 21 points in Friday’s win. Forward T.J. Warren has missed 10 straight games with a head injury but practiced Saturday as he nears a return to the lineup.

• Davis played at least 40 minutes in six of his previous seven games before taking Saturday off.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Phoenix Suns

Confidence: 4/10

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