Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies
When: Friday, Jan. 31, 8:00 p.m ET
Where: Smoothie King Center
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans
In terms of important January match-ups, Friday’s couldn’t be any larger for the Pelicans. Entering the night, Memphis holds a five-game lead over the Pelicans for the eighth seed in the West. While it is just January and the Pelicans have a soft schedule in the final months of the season, a six-game margin is daunting at any point in the season.
New Orleans was handed a big boost when Jaren Jackson Jr. was dealt a one-game suspension on Thursday for leaving the bench during the Grizzlies’ game against the Knicks. In the last meeting between the two sides on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jackson had 19 points and is averaging 17.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on the year while hitting 49% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
Add Jackson’s subtraction with Zion Williamson’s addition and the Pelicans head into the contest with a decided advantage. Friday is a particularly important game considering the two following for the Pelicans are at Houston and at home against Milwaukee.
A win is of the utmost importance on Friday and, in front of the hometown faithful, it could be a memorable game this season.
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