Six year veteran Saddiq Bey is enjoying his best season yet and is averaging a career best 16.5 PPG culminating in Bey scoring 20+ in 5/6 games. With that being said, Bey appears to be a regression candidate and he has been shooting a blistering 50% from three on 42 attempts over that six game sample. Bey is a career 35% shooter and he is at best the third scoring option on the Pelicans, meaning his volume could dwindle. I also like the fact theyтАЩre facing a Hornets team that plays slow coupled with being 6.5 point underdogs which provides some blowout potential.
FanDuel. Going to hop on this Ryan Kalkbrenner line, even with a little juice. Since coming back from injury (and ceding his starting spot to Moussa Diabete), Kalkbrenner has still cleared this points line in nine of 12 games. ItтАЩs an A+ matchup against the Pelicans who allow the second most at rim points, the fourth most assists at the rim, and the fifth most points to centers. As an alternative, IтАЩd also bet this at over 10.5 points plus rebounds.
The Pels have looked a bit more competitive lately with Zion Williamson staying off the injury list but the host Hornets have taken it a bit further. How so? Charlotte is actually winning games, now six in a row, as Charles Lee finally has had most hands on deck. The recent results are noteworthy, including a win over the Spurs on Saturday, when on-fire Brandon Miller (26 points) led the Hornets in scoring for the eighth time in nine games, and Charlotte dominated the glass by a 51-36 count. The Hornets were minus LaMelo Ball and were well before they hit stride when losing by 4 at Smoothie King back on November 4. Note tip-off moved to 3 PM EST! Play Hornets.
Steinbach notched four points (2-5 FG), 11 rebounds, an assist and three blocks across 27 minutes in Friday's 119-80 loss to the Celtics.
James delivered 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt) and three rebounds across 21 minutes in Friday's 119-80 loss to the Celtics.
Bey recorded 17 points (5-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one block over 31 minutes off the bench during Friday's 115-109 loss to the Timberwolves.
Matkovic had 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Friday's 115-109 loss to the Timberwolves.
Fears finished with 24 points (9-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals over 36 minutes in Friday's 115-109 loss to Minnesota.
Head coach Charles Lee said Miller (groin) will be re-evaluated over the weekend, and they expect to have more information by Monday, Steve Reed of The Associated Press reports.
Reid registered 14 points (6-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two turnovers across 26 minutes in Friday's 119-80 loss to the Celtics.
Miller (groin) won't return to Friday's game against the Celtics, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Miller (undisclosed) exited Friday's game against the Celtics, Owen O'Connor of SI.com reports.
Jones is not starting Friday against the Timberwolves,
