New Orleans Pelicans head to Phoenix for Thursday night hoops

In a battle between two Western Conference upstarts, the New Orleans Pelicans battles a Phoenix Suns team interested in stealing a playoff spot.

After starting the season slow, Alvin Gentry led the New Orleans Pelicans to two-straight victories and three in their last four games. The team has improved to 5-9 but need to keep winning to get back in the playoff mix. The eight-seed Phoenix Suns aren’t any slouches, starting 7-6 on the year.

Tonight’s game is set for a 9:30 p.m. CT tip-off from Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

Beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday with a level of ease thanks in no small part to the absence of Damian Lillard, the beat-up Pelicans will again hope to benefit from another team’s injured list.

The Suns will be forced to play without Aron Baynes and Ricky Rubio, as the pair recover from minor injuries. Meanwhile, New Orleans will be without Josh Hart and Derrick Favors for the third straight night, with Jahlil Okafor and Lonzo Ball currently listed as questionable.

However, the New Orleans Pelicans still have plenty of talent on the floor. Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday provided some beautiful interplay in Tuesday’s win.

Jaxson Hayes is the X-Factor for the Pelicans tonight.

The athletic, rim-running center continues to impress during his rookie season and has started the last two games. He’ll battle a Suns frontcourt lacking both Baynes and Deandre Ayton tonight, leaving them exposed inside.

If the Pelicans can get to the basket with any sort of consistency tonight, they should have a pretty good shot to pick up a win to start their three-game road trip.

However, the recently-improved New Orleans defense will have to contain Devin Booker. Booker can expose a defense if he’s hot but is averaging 25.4 points and shooting 50% from three to start the year, making him dangerous regardless.

From the outset of the season, the New Orleans Pelicans expressed interest in making a push towards the playoffs. Tonight would be a key victory if they’re still on the pursuit of that mission.

How to watch New Orleans Pelicans @ Phoenix Suns:

Heightening the stakes for tonight’s action, the game will be featured as the late game for TNT’s Thursday Night Basketball programming.

Fans who don’t have an appropriate cable package kind sign up for a plan via Fubo TV to watch the New Orleans Pelicans all season.

How to listen to New Orleans Pelicans @ Phoenix Suns:

As always, fans within the media market can catch tonight’s game over the airwaves on the ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM channel.

Those out of the market who like following the New Orleans Pelicans in audio format can subscribe to a TuneIn premium account to hear every call this year.

What to read to get you ready for tonight’s action:

At Pelican Debrief, Micah Wimmer is getting excited about Jaxson Hayes, while Willie Lutz took an inside look at Alvin Gentry’s hot coaching streak.

Derrick Rose offered advice to Pelicans’ rookie Zion Williamson, hinting that the phenom shouldn’t be afraid to manage his load.

In case you missed it on Tuesday, the New Orleans Pelicans spoiled the debut of Carmelo Anthony in their 115-104 win over the Trail Blazers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are missing the three-point shooting from the now-Pelicans shooting guard J.J. Redick.