Washington @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 19, 2017 ) New Orleans 106, Washington 116

The New Orleans Pelicans have won 10 straight games and play eight of their next nine at home, but not all is well ahead of Friday night's matchup with the visiting Washington Wizards. MVP candidate Anthony Davis, who scored at least 41 points five times during the winning streak, is doubtful for this one after spraining his left ankle in a 114-101 win at Sacramento on Wednesday.

An MRI on Thursday confirmed the diagnosis and the Pelicans are prepared to begin a three-game homestand without their leader. "Everybody on this team understands their role and what they need to do," forward Nikola Mirotic told the New Orleans Advocate. "Bench guys, starters and this team is just not a selfish team. Sometimes we have to take tough shots because it's part of the game, but we've been trying to have a good selection of shots and find the guy who is hot at that moment." While New Orleans sits a half-game out of third place in the Western Conference, the Wizards are 1 1/2 games out of third in the East. They salvaged the finale of a four-game homestand with a 117-113 overtime win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBC Washington, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (37-28): Bradley Beal turned around a recent slump by shooting 12-of-16 - including 6-of-7 from 3-point range - in the win over the Heat. "This Bradley Beal right here is the Bradley Beal that, from afar, that you always thought he was going to be," Heat guard Dwyane Wade told reporters. "And this time without John Wall has really helped him grow, from a leader standpoint but also as a player. He's seeing the game differently having the ball so much." Wall, who has missed 17 straight games following knee surgery, is increasing his activity but remains without a concrete timetable for his return.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (38-26): Mirotic picked up the slack for Davis (17 points before departing with the ankle injury) in the win over the Kings with 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 10 rebounds. "I've been taking a lot of extra work to get my confidence back because I was (in) a little struggle in the beginning with my shots," Mirotic told reporters. "Now it seems that I did get my rhythm." Jrue Holiday added 23 points and he's reached the 20-point mark in nine of the last 10 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis outscored Beal 37-26 but the Wizards took the first matchup 116-106 at home on Dec. 19.

2. Wizards PF Markieff Morris is averaging 14.6 points - more than three over his season mark - over his last five games and has hit at least 50 percent of his shots in seven conecutive contests.

3. Washington has taken 11 of the last 12 meetings.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 110, Wizards 106