Coming off another loss to Toronto on Wednesday, the Sixers will try to outlast one of the up-and-coming teams of the NBA tonight. The New Orleans Pelicans are 19-19 on the year, and sport one of the league’s elite young talents in Anthony Davis. The shot-blocking and rim-rocking Davis is putting up incredible numbers averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and just on the edge of 3 blocks a game. By the end of the year Davis could quite possibly lock up his first of many MVP awards.
With that said, if anybody has their work cut out for them this evening its Nerlens Noel. It just so happens that Noel is the one who took Davis’ place at Kentucky following Davis’ departure for the draft, and as we all know Nerlens was no disappointment and always caused havoc in the lane. This is by far the best matchup to watch tonight. This is of course if Davis plays. Davis is a game time decision tonight with a toe injury as he did not participate in morning shootaround, according to Rotowire.com. There will also be a familiar face in town tonight when it comes time for tip-off. Jrue Holiday will be playing his former Sixers. Unfortunately, Holiday is also a game time decision with an ankle injury, according to Rotowire.com. Holiday’s red, white, and blue replacement though is a full go. I’d look to see another solid game out of Carter-Williams who is coming of a season high 29 points. Another reason we could see a nice night out of MCW is the fact that we’ve seen his name pop up again with the possibility of being traded. Chad Ford of ESPN said that apparently some front office executives do not see MCW as a future piece to the puzzle. I’m sure Carter-Williams is fully aware of the swirling rumors and may look to start turning it up a notch on the floor whether it be trying to stay with the Sixers or auditioning for another team.
Game Time: 7:00 @ WFC
Here’s how the the starting lineups look tonight:
Sixers
PG: Michael Carter-Williams
SG: KJ McDaniels
SF: Luc Mbah A Moute
PF: Nerlens Noel
C: Henry Sims
Pelicans
PG: Tyreke Evans
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Dante Cunningham
PF: Ryan Anderson
C: Omer Asik
Game Time Decisions: Anthony Davis (toe), Jrue Holiday (ankle)
