In a Friday night matchup at Smoothie King Center, the New York Knicks (4-11) will face the New Orleans Pelicans (7-7). New York is currently 2-6 on the road early in the season while New Orleans is 5-1 at home.

The Knicks have lost three straight now after their 128-103 loss on the road to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. According to ESPN, it was tied for Oklahoma City’s second-largest scoring output of the season and their biggest margin of victory. Tim Hardaway Jr. led New York with 20 points, and Enes Kanter added 19 off the bench.

The Pelicans were defeated 107-100 on Wednesday by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first 12 minutes and never relinquished their lead. E’Twaun Moore led the Pelicans in the losing effort with 31 points, and Anthony Davis scored 29.

Injuries

Knicks: Out - Kristaps Porzingis (knee), Courtney Lee (neck), Lance Thomas (knee), Probable - Mitchell Robinson (ankle)

Pelicans: Questionable - Elfrid Payton (ankle)

Projected lineups

Knicks: PG - Emmanuel Mudiay, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Kevin Knox, PF - Noah Vonleh, C - Mitchell Robinson

Pelicans: PG - Jrue Holiday, SG - E’Twaun Moore, SF - Wesley Johnson, PF - Nikola Mirotic, C - Anthony Davis

Stat leaders

Knicks: Scoring - Tim Hardaway Jr.

22.9, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 11.7, Assists - Trey Burke 3.5

Pelicans: Scoring - Anthony Davis 25.0, Rebounding - Anthony Davis 12.7, Assists - Jrue Holiday 9.3

What to know

Not only have the Knicks lost three straight, but they also haven’t really even been competitive in any of those games. They lost their last three by an average of 22.3 points to the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Thunder.

The Pelicans have unquestionably been a much better team at home when compared to the road this season. They are averaging 4.9 more points at home than in away games and are giving up 3.7 less when playing at Smoothie King Center.

New Orleans is attempting the sixth-most free throws per game at 26.5. New York is allowing 24.2 foul shots per contest which is slightly more than average.

Regular season history

According to Land of Basketball, the Knicks and Pelicans (previously the New Orleans Hornets) have met 34 times in the regular season. New Orleans has come away with the win in 18 of those games.

The Pelicans have won four of the last five head-to-head meetings, but the two teams split their two games against each other last season.
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