NEW ORLEANS – After a successful 3-1 road trip, the New Orleans Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center for what could be their most important home stand of the season.
While the Pelicans have been incredibly successful on the road, their 17 wins away from home are tied for second-most in the NBA, they have had their troubles finding the right mix at The Blender.
| Home W/L | Win Pct. | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 19-5 | .791 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 21-6 | .778 |
| LA Clippers | 20-6 | .769 |
| Denver Nuggets | 21-4 | .840 |
| Phoenix Suns | 17-11 | .607 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 15-10 | .600 |
At 15-10, New Orleans has the lowest home winning percentage (.600) of the top six teams in the Western Conference. They haven’t won consecutive home games since winning three straight from Dec. 28 to Jan. 2.
Over the next four games they will face teams with a combined 36 road victories, and only one opponent with a winning road record (Miami Heat).
The rest of the Pelicans’ home schedule is much tougher. They will take on playoff contenders in nine of their final 11 games in the SKC.
This is their stand. The Pelicans are a bit banged up, but at this point of the season everyone is. The Pelicans can put everything into tonight’s game with the All-Star Weekend and week off to follow. No matter how high the highs have been for the Pels, they’ve yet to prove that they can handle success. There isn’t an opponent that they can take for granted.
Offensively, the Wizards are a team that New Orleans can get well against. Though they’ve gone 5-1 over their last six games, the Pelicans are averaging 113.3 points per game and failed to reach triple digits in either of their last two wins.
The Wizards rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, and their inefficient offense should create plenty of chances for the Pelicans to get out on the break.
This game should also be one where the Pelicans take advantage of Washington inside. The Wizards rank dead last in second chance points allowed (17.1 PPG) and next to last in allowing points in the point (58.7 PPG). That should be good for Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas; and in turn it should be good for the Pelicans’ outside shooters…like Herb Jones.
Herb Jones continues to show why he’s been so important to the Pelicans’ success. Though his defense remains stellar, his growth offensively has to be noted. Jones has already set a new career-high with 72 three-pointers this season (previous best was 57 in 2021-22), while shooting a career-best 41.1% percent from deep.
His 22 games with 2 or more triples are six more than Brandon Ingram and only five fewer than rookie sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins.
Teams have shot it almost 38 percent from deep against the Wizards and the Pelicans remain in the top-10 in the three-point percentage.
It would be a huge heartbreaker, particularly on Valentine’s Day, for the Pelicans to go into the break with a home defeat on the ledger. A strong performance and a comfortable win would be the perfect love letter to a fan base that continues to believe in the potential of their beloved team.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Washington Wizards | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Tyus Jones | G – CJ McCollum |
| G – Jordan Poole | G – Herbert Jones |
| F – Deni Avdija | F – Brandon Ingram |
| F – Kyle Kuzma | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – Marvin Bagley III | C – Jonas Valanciunas |
This is the Pelicans’ most-used starting lineup this season, with an 18-12 (.600) record in 30 games. This same lineup played in 10 games during the 2022-23 season, finishing with a 6-4 (.600) record. Over an 82-game schedule that projects to a 49-33 record.
Injuries
Washington Wizards: Isaiah Livers (hip) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels (left meniscus tear) is OUT. Zion Williamson (left foot bone contusion) and Cody Zeller (left knee soreness) are QUESTIONABLE
Who: Washington Wizards (9-44) at New Orleans Pelicans (32-22)
Season Series
- Dec. 13: Pelicans def. Wizards, 142-122
- Feb. 14: Wizards at Pelicans
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Feb. 14, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
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READ MORE
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- As Decision Looms on Valanciunas’ Future, His Contributions Are Greater Than Ever
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