7 p.m. at New Orleans FSN, 830-AM

Pelicans have beat up Wolves

Preview: The 3-4 Pelicans' chance for a winning record for the first time since the 2014-15 season disappeared with Monday's 115-99 home loss to an Orlando team that played the second night of back-to-back games. The Pelicans themselves had just won three of four games, including a 22-point home victory over Cleveland, until a loss that coach Alvin Gentry called a "lack of effort" and brings his team back to "Square 1."…The Pelicans have won 10 of the past 12 games with the Wolves, including a three-game series sweep last season.

Players to watch: Pelicans star Anthony Davis has scored 39 and 30 points in two games back after he missed a game last week at Sacramento because of a knee injury. He had 39 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in Monday's loss to the Magic. Davis averaged 38.3 points on .667 shooting from the field with 11.3 rebounds in three games against the Wolves last season. … Fellow big man DeMarcus Cousins was named the Western Conference's Player of the Week on Monday after he averaged 36.3 points, 16 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks last week. … Pursued by the Wolves as a free agent, former Wolves forward Dante Cunningham is starting in the Pelicans frontcourt with Davis and Cousins.

Injuries: Wolves C Justin Patton (foot surgery) remains out indefinitely. The Pelicans list C Alexis Ajinca (knee), C Omer Asik (illness), F Solomon Hill (hamstring), G Frank Jackson (foot) and G Rajon Rondo (core muscle injury) all as out.

JERRY ZGODA