Brooklyn @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 4, 2019 ) New Orleans 125, Brooklyn 135

The New Orleans Pelicans put points on the board against one of the best defensive teams in the league on Sunday, they just couldn't manage to get a stop on the other end in what is becoming a common problem. The Pelicans will try to fill the cracks on defense and stop their franchise-record slide at 12 in a row when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

New Orleans dropped a 130-119 decision at home to the Orlando Magic on Sunday and is allowing an average of 121.4 points during the slide while waiting for rookie forward Zion Williamson (knee) to make his debut and add some size to the team on the defensive end. "I think we are competing, and we are playing," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "We are trying to do all the right things, I think. One time we had a lineup out there where at every position they had a five- or six-inch advantage. We just have to keep on competing and will try to figure it out." The Nets pulled out of their own funk with their effort on the defensive end in Sunday's 109-89 triumph over Philadelphia, ending a two-game slide. "One of our best defensive performances since I've been here," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "They are a good offensive team, really top 10 in efficiency, so it's just an excellent, excellent defensive effort."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE NETS (14-12): Sunday's win improved Brooklyn to 10-5 since All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving went down with a shoulder injury, and there is still no firm date for his return to the lineup. Spencer Dinwiddie, who has taken charge since Irving's injury and scored a team-high 24 points on Sunday, is averaging 23.9 points and 7.4 assists in 15 games since taking over Irving's spot in the starting lineup. Dinwiddie is getting some help in the backcourt from guard Garrett Temple, who knocked down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc on Sunday and scored in double figures in 11 of the last 15 contests.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (6-21): Jrue Holiday collected 29 points and eight assists in Sunday's setback and is doing everything he can to pull the team out of its current funk. "From a personal standpoint, I feel that we're all competitors and losing was never in our nature, so we're going to keep pushing and try to figure out a way to win," Holiday told reporters. "Once we figure out a way to win, try to replicate that. Just being positive really. I feel like that’s the biggest part when the cloud is over you, to just remain positive." Holiday and small forward Brandon Ingram are carrying the team on the offensive end while New Orleans waits for Williamson, who is past the eight-week mark on a six-to-eight-week rehab plan following a meniscus repair and is without a timetable for a return.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans SG JJ Redick is averaging 24.3 points over the last three games and is 11-of-21 from 3-point range over that span.

2. Nets F Wilson Chandler (suspension) made his season debut on Sunday and collected two points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.

3. Brooklyn knocked off New Orleans 135-125 at home on Nov. 4 behind 39 points from Irving.

PREDICTION: Nets 128, Pelicans 117