Pelicans, Grizzlies Set for NBA Cup Showdown

Memphis visits New Orleans on Friday in an NBA Cup West Group B matchup, with both teams needing a win to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive after opening group play with losses. The game is a rematch of the Pelicans’ 135-134 overtime victory on Nov. 3. New Orleans has lost four straight, including heavy defeats to Golden State and Brooklyn, and has struggled badly on defense; Memphis has also cooled after a strong start, losing four of its last five. The Grizzlies will be without Zach Edey and Quinten Post, leaving them short-handed at center, while several Pelicans—including Trey Murphy III, Bennedict Mathurin and Yves Missi—are listed as doubtful or day to day.