Pelicans (30-26), Pistons (27-29)
DETROIT – A lineup shuffle Monday elevated 10-day contract signee Emeka Okafor to New Orleans’ starting lineup, while moving recent trade acquisition Nikola Mirotic to a reserve role. Both players flourished in their new responsibilities, helping to key a Pelicans road victory in brand-new Little Caesars Arena. In 11 minutes of action, Okafor turned in a solid eight-point, six-rebound game, while Mirotic played arguably his best contest as a Pelican, totaling 21 points and 12 rebounds. That performance came two days after he went for 21 and 16 at Brooklyn.
New Orleans, which improved to 11-1 during Anthony Davis’ six-year NBA career, finishes its pre-All-Star portion of the schedule Wednesday at home vs.