Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Preview: A return to New Orleans

The Pelicans return home on Friday night to kick off a vital three-game homestand at the Smoothie King Center against the Cavaliers.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

When: Friday, Feb. 28, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

For the first time in two weeks, the Pelicans return home to kick off a three-game homestand against the Cavaliers. Still one of the worst teams in the league, Cleveland visits the Smoothie King Center winners of four of their last five games with their two most recent wins coming against Philadelphia and Miami.

The two sides recently met with New Orleans earning a 125-111 win on Jan. 28 in one of Zion Williamson’s worst games in his brief career. That game, though, did feature a combined 52 points from Jrue Holiday and Brandon Ingram while the Cavs shot just 43% from the field.

For the Pelicans, Friday is in many ways a must-win type of contest. As the team continues to chase down the Grizzlies, games against teams like the Cavaliers, who are near the bottom of the league, are the match-ups New Orleans can’t afford to lose.

With Memphis and Sacramento squaring off also on Friday night, the Pelicans can potentially take yet another step closer to the playoffs. Entering Friday’s games, New Orleans sits 3.0 games back of the eighth seed.

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