New Orleans is in its first camp under Jamahl Mosley, and it has been uneven. The Pelicans' starters fell behind early in the opener at Oklahoma City, and the bench erased a 24-point deficit to win 116-110. Miami then beat them in their second game. The Pelicans also have a game at Dallas on October 14 before this one, so Mosley's rotation, and who he decides to rest, could look different by Friday.
Zion is the main reason to tune in. He looks fully healthy, and an early dunk against the Thunder showed he has his explosiveness back. He shot 46.7% through the first 2 games, but New Orleans was outscored by 21 in his minutes, which fits a starting group that is still figuring itself out. Dejounte Murray missed the Miami game with a toe contusion. Jeremiah Fears and Bennedict Mathurin started in the backcourt in his place, and Fears was the bright spot in that loss.
Even so, that's the storyline to watch. The Pelicans' bench has looked better than the starting group so far, and a unit of Murray, Herb Jones, Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi needs some real minutes together before the games count. Washington's frontcourt with Davis is the kind of test that would show whether it works, if Davis plays long enough to give one.
Tipoff is 7:00 PM CT at the Smoothie King Center. Expect both teams' regulars to sit by the fourth quarter and the result to be decided by players fighting for the last roster spots.