Pelicans Head Into The All-Star Break Looking To Extend Winning Streak Versus The Helpless Wizards

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (32-22) host the hapless Washington Wizards (9-44) Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center. This is the last game for each team before the much-needed All-Star break. Washington enters the game on a seven-game losing streak, the second worst in the NBA, while New Orleans is ten games above .500 for the first time since the 2018 season. The Pelicans won the first matchup this season 142-122 in December.

That game saw New Orleans put up a franchise record in points scored against the Wizards. The defense has been Washington's Achilles heel for the Wizards much of the season. They're second-to-last in the league in opponent points per game (123.7) and No. 27 in opponent field goal percentage (49.6). Washington has held just one opponent to under 100 points this season while giving up at least 100 or more in their last eight games.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans held their last two opponents under 100 while winning both games and not scoring 100 points themselves. They become the first team this season to hold back-to-back opponents under 100 points. New Orleans received a potential major blow to one of its best defenders, Dyson Daniels, who was diagnosed with a torn meniscus and has no timetable for a return. Daniels led the Pels in steals per game (1.4) and was amongst the league leaders in deflections. 

Washington is led in scoring by forward Kyle Kuzma, who averages 21.8 points per game this season. The Wizards are an average-scoring team, but Kuzma and guard Jordan Poole are capable of scoring in bunches on any given night. The same is true for the Pelicans plethora of scorers. Brandon Ingram scored 40 points in the last matchup between these teams. Despite the Pels' improved record, no Pelicans were selected to this year's All-Star team. 

Ingram averages nearly 29 points a game versus Washington as a member of the Pelicans. However, this should be a game for the Pels big men to shine in the paint. The Wizards surrender 58.5 paint points per contest, the second-worst in the league. Since New Orleans drafted Zion Williamson in 2019, he's only played two games versus Washington in his career. Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas should dominate the restricted area on Wednesday.

While the individual accolades for New Orleans aren't recognized, their team success this season is the best in years. A win on Wednesday gives the Pelicans one of their best records heading into the NBA All-Star break in years. The team poises itslef for a post-All-Star game run starting on Feb. 22 against the Houston Rockets.