The New Orleans Pelicans (22-12, 15-4 Home) play host to the Philadelphia 76ers (20-13, 6-8 Away) Friday in a matchup that pits outstanding offense against exceptional defense. Philadelphia lost to the Washington Wizards 116-111 at Capital One Arena on Tuesday.
Joel Embiid was a top performer in the losing effort with 48 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. The 76ers are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. New Orleans won their fourth in a row in a close one on Wednesday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-118.
Zion Williamson had 43 points and five assists, leading the team. The Pelicans are the second seed in the Western Conference, 0.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Philadelphia won both games between the teams last season, the last of which was a 117-107 triumph at Wells Fargo Center on January 25, their third straight head-to-head victory. Embiid led the 76ers with 42 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 31 points in the losing effort. The Sixers have been led this season by Embiid, who is averaging 33.7 points per game, best in the NBA. Embiid also is contributing 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
Williamson has been the primary provider for the Pels on offense, averaging 25.8 points per game. Jonas Valanciunas is collecting 9.4 rebounds per game, and CJ McCollum is tallying 6.1 assists. The 76ers are the league’s second-best team in defensive efficiency, while the Pelicans rank fifth in offensive efficiency.
The teams have split their last 10 matchups at Smoothie King Center (5-5). New Orleans is seeking a fourth straight home win this season.
Philadelphia is 8-2 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +8.2 (119.4-111.2). For the season, the 76ers are averaging 111.7 points per game, compared to 108.0 for opponents.
New Orleans has gone 6-4 over the last 10, scoring 120.5 points per game on average while allowing 119.3 (+1.2 margin). The Pelicans are averaging 117.8 ppg for the full season while allowing 112.6.
76ERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Shake Milton: 11.4 | 17.2 | -5.8
Points per game:
Shake Milton: 7.0 | 10.8 | -3.8
Assists per game:
Joel Embiid: 3.0 | 4.3 | -1.3
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
CJ McCollum: 40.0 | 30.6 | +9.4
Larry Nance Jr.: 6.5 | 16.0 | -9.5
Points per game:
CJ McCollum: 25.4 | 19.4 | +6.0
Rebounds per game:
Larry Nance Jr.: 3.0 | 5.6 | -2.6
Assists per game:
CJ McCollum: 8.2 | 6.1 | +2.1
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NO Pelicans (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
