A week after meeting for a second time this season, Memphis returns to New Orleans for a second consecutive Tuesday matchup in the Smoothie King Center (7 p.m., Bally Sports, 99.5 FM). This one won’t generate as much national fanfare (last week was All-Star guard Ja Morant’s season debut on TNT), but both teams have plenty at stake. The Grizzlies will try to improve to 4-0 with Morant back in uniform, while the Pelicans look to avenge a Dec. 19 heartbreaking defeat and regain the lead in the four-game season series against Memphis. New Orleans held a nine-game lead on its Southwest Division counterpart entering last week’s head-to-head game; that differential has since been cut to seven games.
For New Orleans, a pair of frontcourt reserves are listed on the team’s official Christmas injury report, with Cody Zeller (right ankle sprain) questionable, while Larry Nance Jr. (right rib fracture) is doubtful. Matt Ryan (right elbow surgery) is out.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
MEMPHIS (9-19)
Saturday win at Atlanta
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo
NEW ORLEANS (17-13)
Saturday loss vs. Houston
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Season Series
Oct. 25: New Orleans 111, at Memphis 104
Dec. 19: Memphis 115, at New Orleans 113
Dec. 26: at New Orleans, 7 p.m. (Bally Sports)
Feb. 12: at Memphis, 7 p.m. (Bally Sports)