Coming off a disastrous road trip, the Pelicans will be hungry to get back into the win column. Expectations were high entering the season and they were loudly validated during the first week of action, but then the bottom fell out after six straight losses.
While many have jumped off the bandwagon and the Anthony Davis rumor mill fired back up, New Orleans is about to get their first break on the schedule. Four of the next five opponents have losing records, with an injury riddled Chicago Bulls team up first.
Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine and Kris Dunn are all out for Fred Holberg’s squad so a big load falls on Zach LaVine’s shoulders — who will gladly take it.