The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Washington Wizards in Orlando on Friday.

The Wizards (24-44) were expected to be one of the worst teams in this restart and zero wins prove just that. In fact, they have lost each game by at least eight points in their current four-game losing streak. It's really no surprise when you look at the roster, with John Wall, Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans all missing this for these Orlando games. That's about 60 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists out of the lineup which is simply too much to overcome with so much tough competition out there. What it has done is force role players into bigger roles. Players like Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown have been fantastic in this abbreviated Orlando season and it's good to find some pieces to build around those studs who are sitting.

The Pelicans (29-39) were one of the most highly anticipated teams coming into this Orlando restart and they just continue to disappoint like they have all season long. They've lost three of their four games thus far and they actually had one of the weakest schedules in this eight-game restart. A roster with Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson is way too good to be performing this poorly and it's really hard to understand why they can't figure this thing out. A lot of people are pointing to the youth but the numbers are there for them to be successful. Sitting 27th in total defense certainly doesn't help though and that's something that can develop with time together. With all that said, they're still within four-games of the final playoff spot in the west and could sneak in with this talented group.

This is actually the first meeting between these teams but it should be high-scoring one with both clubs ranking at the bottom of the defensive statistics.