Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans Try To Arrest Two-Game Skid

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards — Kyle Kuzma is expected to lead the Wizards anew when they host the Pelicans on Monday, Jan. 3. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The Wizards are tipped to deal the Pelicans their third-straight loss
The Pelicans will continue to be without their three key players
Kyle Kuzma will need to step up anew with Bradley Beal still out with an injury

The Washington Wizards will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, January 9 at the Capital One Arena, with both teams hoping to end a two-game losing slide.

The Wizards dropped a 110-127 decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who swept their regular-season series.

Washington continued to be without Bradley Beal in that game as they were led by Kyle Kuzma, who had 23 points, seven assists, and five blocks.

Backing him up was Daniel Gafford who had 15 markers and nine caroms.

The Wizards are averaging 112.1 points per game and shooting 48.1% from the field and 34.3% beyond the three-point region.

They are also averaging 44 rebounds per contest.

Defensively, Washington is allowing the opposition to score 113.1 points per game and allowing them to shoot 46.2% from the field.

They own a defensive rating of 69 which is 29th in the league.

On the other end, the Pelicans will need someone from their healthy players to step up with main stars such as Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr. still out of commission.

In their loss to the Dallas Mavericks, 117-127, Jonas Valanciunas held up the fort with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Naji Marshall chipped in 24 points and four assists.

The Pelicans are averaging 117.1 points per game on 47.8% shooting from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.

Moreover, the Pelicans are hauling down 45.6 rebounds per contest.

On the defensive end, New Orleans is limiting opponents to 113.1 points per game and allowing them only to shoot 46.9% from the field.

Furthermore, New Orleans is allowing opposing teams 41.8 rebounds per contest.

The Pelicans have lost four of their last five games, and the odds do not appear to favor them heading into Monday's matchup.

Oddsmakers pick the Wizards as -1.5 spread favorites over the Pelicans, who are +1.5.

Meanwhile, the Moneyline is -120 for the Wizards and -105 for the Pelicans.

The game can be watched on both NBA League Pass and fuboTV at 7:00 PM ET.