Pacers at Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans attempt to stay in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff spot while fighting injuries to key personnel when they host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. All-Star Anthony Davis (shoulder) is questionable and Ryan Anderson (elbow) along with Jrue Holiday (ankle) are not expected to play as the Pelicans try to snap a two-game slide. Indiana had won three straight before Monday’s damaging 95-93 loss to San Antonio after leading by 14 in the fourth quarter.
Davis, who averages 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, went down after playing 13 minutes against Chicago on Saturday and sat out Monday’s 100-96 loss to Utah. The Pacers know how New Orleans feels after losing Paul George (broken leg) for the season during the summer, and they stood three games out of eighth place in the East going into Tuesday. Indiana has beaten the Pelicans seven straight times, including a 96-84 triumph Dec. 23 at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE PACERS (20-33): Indiana managed only 14 points in the fourth quarter against San Antonio and leading rebounder David West told reporters, “We had an opportunity to beat another good team and we let it slip away from us.” Rodney Stuckey scored 18 to lead the Pacers on Monday and is one of six active players averaging between 13.9 and 10.3 points. Point guard George Hill tops Indiana in scoring at 13.9 in 14 games and West (13.0) is next while shooting 50 percent in four February outings.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-25): Anderson, who averages 14.9 points, was also injured against Chicago and held out Monday, while Holiday (15.2 points, team-high 7.1 assists) missed the last 15 contests. Tyreke Evans has taken over the point-guard duties with Holiday out and registered four double-doubles to go along with a triple-double in his last nine outings. Eric Gordon rebounded from making 7-of-31 from the field over his previous three games to score 31 against Utah, raising his average to 12.8.
BUZZER-BEATERS
1. New Orleans’ 7-2 C Alexis Ajinca is 9-of-16 from the field and scored 18 points in 49 minutes combined the last two games.
2. Indiana PG C.J. Watson, who scored 22 in the win at Charlotte on Sunday, has made 10-of-18 from 3-point range in the last four games.
3. The Pelicans are 17-9 on their home court despite three straight losses, and Indiana is 9-19 on the road.