Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • January 31, 2023
Posted in
Dynamic forward Zion Williamson remains out with a severe hamstring strain he suffered Jan. 2. After missing all of the 2021-22 season with a stress fracture in his foot, Williamson had returned to his efficient scoring ways before suffering the hamstring strain.
The Pelicans offense has been stagnant recently without his 26 points, 7 boards and 4.6 assists per game. New Orleans is 12th in scoring in the league this season, but have lost 8 straight contests and averaged 102.5 points per game during that stretch.
Lanky forward Brandon Ingram is back from his 29-game absence and should return to playing full minutes soon. He was dealing with a significant turf toe injury and the team was smart to be cautious and avoid a reaggravation.
Rookie teenager Dyson Daniel is the only other injury of note for the sea birds. The 6-foot-8 Australian suffered an ankle injury last Tuesday and head coach Willie Green said recently he will be out for “a little bit of time.”
Point guard Jamal Murray is questionable for the contest with left knee injury management. He is still not 100% from his April 2021 tear, but is averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 42 games this season.
Generally speaking, the second year is when a player regains full ability to cut and decelerate after ACL surgery.
Murray’s last game action came Saturday against the 76ers, when he had 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 38 minutes.
If Murray doesn’t play, Bones Hyland will likely take on a bigger role in the offense. Hyland is averaging 17.7 points in games without Murray.
Two-time MVP center Nikola Jokic is back after missing three of the last five games with a hamstring injury.
He also played 38 minutes in Saturday’s loss to Philadelphia and should be available for full minutes. The 27-year-old is averaging close to a triple double for the third straight season, including the best assist numbers of his career (9.9 per game).
C.J. McCollum O 22.5 points - The former Blazer has beaten this mark in 3 of the last 5 contests and the Nuggets are 24th in the league in field goal percentage allowed.
The Nuggets are favored by 6.5 points at home and the over/under is 231.
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Written by Jacob Sisneros
