The New Orleans Pelicans might be hitting their stride, especially on offense.
That could mean trouble for the Charlotte Hornets when the teams meet Friday night in Charlotte, N.C.
The Pelicans racked up their biggest point total of the season in a 142-122 road victory against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
The Hornets have lost their last two games to the Heat, including a 115-104 setback on Wednesday in Miami.
Charlotte’s trouble spots are widespread, with injuries piling up and defensive woes complicated by turnovers on offense that lead to fastbreak points for opponents. The Hornets have lost six of their last eight games.
Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 40 points to pace the Pelicans in Washington. He has led New Orleans in scoring in only two of its last eight games, but he might be particularly motivated with Friday night’s game in his home state.
Ingram wasn’t alone. Trey Murphy III scored 27 points, going 6-for-7 on 3-pointers in just his fifth game of the season.
That was a bonus for the Pelicans, who played without Zion Williamson in Wednesday’s game. He had scored 36 points on Monday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves but was listed as day-to-day with a sore ankle.
New Orleans, though, has options.
Terry Rozier has led Charlotte in scoring in four of the past six games, including averaging 31.0 points in the two-game set with Miami.
Brandon Miller has connected on two or more 3-pointers in eight consecutive games, something a rookie had never done for Charlotte.
The Hornets will need widespread contributions particularly with forward P.J. Washington leaving the Miami game with a shoulder contusion. That put his status for the game versus the Pelicans in doubt.
Charlotte center Mark Williams has missed both games this week with a back ailment.
