The New Orleans Pelicans are looking forward to having big man Anthony Davis for Friday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazer at home. This is according to Scott Kushner of The Advocate who also said that Davis will be given ample minutes should he be ultimately given a green light to return to work.
Alvin Gentry is “under the assumption” Anthony Davis (ankle) will play tonight.
Not expected to have a minutes restriction if he’s able to go.
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) January 12, 2018
Davis did not play in New Orleans’ last game a 105-102 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, because of a sprained right ankle. Without Davis, the Pelicans were left to rely so much on DeMarcus Cousins to hold the fort in the frontcourt. Cousins would finish the game with 29 points and eight rebounds but those numbers were not enough to pull New Orleans to a victory.
Davis' return should give the Pelicans a huge lift against the Blazers. The 24-year-old power forward is averaging 25.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Davis was not around when the Pelicans beat Portland on the road on Dec. 2, 123-116. During the two team’s first meeting on Oct. 24, Davis played in just five minutes, as he had to leave the game early with a knee injury in the opening period. New Orleans lost that game, 103-93.
In case Anthony Davis will be ruled out, the Pelicans will likely use Dante Cunningham as his placeholder in the starting lineup. Cunningham had nine points and five rebounds in the loss to the Grizzlies. Cheick Diallo and Omer Asik would also see a minor bump in minutes if Davis gets sidelined for the second game in a row.
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