Cavaliers at Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have come to life since forward Ryan Anderson's return to the lineup, and they'll look for their third straight victory when they host the frustrated Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The Cavaliers need some sort of similar spark, having lost four of five. The Pelicans have won four of the last five meetings, but the teams split a pair last season and Cleveland star Kyrie Irving averaged 33 points and shot 57.1 percent in those contests.
The Pelicans had lost three straight before the return of Anderson, who has poured in 45 points in his first two games while going 10-for-16 from 3-point range. "It's been a very easy transition because of the guys," Anderson told reporters. "The guys are getting me open, and we're doing a really good job of moving the ball." New Orleans has scored 135 and 105 points in its past two games, while Cleveland has broken 100 in regulation only once in 12 games this season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (4-8): Cleveland's starters did next to nothing in Wednesday's 98-91 loss to Washington until Irving went off in the fourth quarter. The bench put up a season-high 56 points, but that unit is thinned out with shooting guard C.J. Miles (calf) not making the road trip and center Tyler Zeller (ankle) not likely to play. Besides Irving, the Cavaliers don't have anyone who can consistently produce at the offensive end.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (5-6): While Anderson has breathed life into the Pelicans at the offensive end, second-year forward Anthony Davis continues to anchor them on defensive. Davis has recorded 17 blocks in the past two games, and he also has more room to operate in the paint with Anderson forcing opponents to defend the perimeter. Guards Eric Gordon (15.8 points) and Jrue Holiday (13.8 points, 7 assists) also can hit from outside, making New Orleans a tough team to defend.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis is the first NBA player with eight or more blocks in consecutive games since Dikembe Mutombo in December 2001.
2. Cleveland's bench averages 33 points and has outscored the opponent's reserves in 10 of 12 games.
3. New Orleans ranks third in the league beyond the arc at 42.2 percent, with reserve guard Anthony Morrow shooting an NBA-best 57.1 percent from 3-point range.