Amid all the trade hoopla, the New Orleans Pelicans (27-23) must return to the hardwood on Friday against a particularly tough foe on their home floor: the Oklahoma City Thunder (30-22).
Since losing DeMarcus Cousins to a season-ending injury, the Pelicans have failed to notch a victory against two beatable teams in the Clippers and Kings. Now, they must try to garner their first win without their usual starting center against an OKC team that will be angry after losing their second straight game.
Late Thursday night, the Thunder dropped a 127-124 contest to the Denver Nuggets on TNT.