After battling against the Mavericks a few nights ago the Pelicans return home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron will play in the game despite suffering a knee injury that head-coach David Blatt said was “nothing major.” Kyrie Irving also is battling through injury and is likely to play tonight.

New Orleans has been a jekyll and hyde team on the road and at home. They’ve played some of the fewest number of games in New Orleans, with a 6-2 record.

The last time these two teams met it was an extremely close encounter with Cleveland winning 118-111. Lebron James was truly dominate putting up a triple double. Ryan Anderson was hitting his shots, scoring 31 points (something that’s been lacking of late).

Keys for tonight’s game:

• Forcing other’s to beat them: The Cavs have been on a roll of late, winning 8 of their last 9. Lebron James destroyed New Orleans last time they met and again it’ll be interesting to see the defensive scheme put in place to limit him. Kevin Love has been fairly inconsistent for Cleveland and Dion Waiters always thinks he’s amazing. Perhaps the best defensive game plan is to give Waiters the ball?
• Both teams have fairly efficient offenses: Cleveland’s O-Rating (4th) and New Orleans O-Rtg (6th). Pretty exciting if you ask me. Expect tonight to be a high scoring game. New Orleans has the worse defense of the two (statistically) but with a slowed Lebron could things tip towards New Orleans?
• Ryan Anderson has been terrible over the last five games. He’s shot 16 per cent from three and averaged a meager 9 points a game. Having someone contribute off the bench is becoming a bit of a sticking point for the Pelicans and Anderson needs to get back to being the threat he’s been in the past.

Game kicks off just after 8pm ET – Follow us on twitter @BourbonStShots