The New Orleans Pelicans have some ground to make up in the Western Conference playoff race, so they need to take advantage of opportunities like Friday's trip to Philadelphia to face the struggling 76ers. The Pelicans snapped a five-game road losing streak with a 105-94 win at Detroit on Wednesday and are aiming for their first back-to-back wins since Dec. 16 and 18. The 76ers are coming off a 100-84 loss at Toronto and have dropped two straight and eight of their last 11.
New Orleans was impressive against the streaking Pistons, dishing out 23 assists and shooting 48.8 percent while seven players scored at least eight points. "That was fun," Pelicans guard Eric Gordon told reporters. "Everyone was scoring and everyone was contributing." New Orleans has averaged 122.3 points while winning three straight in the series including each of its last two trips to Philadelphia.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE PELICANS (19-19): New Orleans sits ninth in the West, 2 1/2 games behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot. Jrue Holiday missed the Detroit game with an ankle injury and is questionable to play against his former team, but his absence is mitigated by having a healthy Eric Gordon, who has averaged 13.2 points in five games since returning from a 21-game absence (shoulder) and has hit double digits in four straight contests. Star forward Anthony Davis (24.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.9 blocks) left the Pistons game with a sore toe but isn't expected to miss any time.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (7-31): Philadelphia has played better of late and climbed out of the Eastern Conference cellar but has a tough stretch upcoming and is without leading scorer Tony Wroten (sprained knee). The team's No. 3 scorer, swingman Robert Covington (12.4 points) also sat out against the Raptors after injuring his shoulder in warm-ups and is questionable for Friday. If he can't go, the Sixers would be left with just one double-digit scorer in Michael Carter-Williams (15.3 points, 7.2 assists, 6.4 rebounds), though they have six more players who average at least 7.7 points.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis has three games this season with 25 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, matching the most since Shaquille O'Neal did it five times in 1999-2000.
2. The 76ers have not scored more than 96 points in any of their last 15 games and are averaging 88.5 points over that span.
3. The Pelicans are 7-14 on the road, including a 1-7 mark against Eastern Conference teams.