Nets' turnovers meet Zion Williamson's 2.2 steals a game

The Brooklyn Nets (2-8), with the NBA's third-worst offense, visit the New Orleans Pelicans (4-7) and the league's 26th-ranked defense on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, a game that turns on Brooklyn's turnovers.

Brooklyn scores 104.1 points per 100 possessions and gives the ball away too often; its turnover rate of 15.1 ranks 28th. Zion Williamson, who averages 2.2 steals a game, is positioned to exploit that.

The Pelicans' defense leaves openings of its own. Opponents post an effective field goal percentage of 56.1 against New Orleans, 25th in the league. Brooklyn takes threes at the fourth-highest rate in the NBA; New Orleans takes the fewest.

Free throws are the second front. New Orleans gets to the line at the fourth-highest rate, and Brooklyn ranks 27th at keeping opponents off it. Williamson averages 21 points on 62.3% shooting.

Michael Porter Jr. leads Brooklyn with 21.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. Julius Randle averages five assists and four turnovers. Jeremiah Fears runs the New Orleans offense with 4.9 assists.

Nolan Traoré, Brooklyn's steals leader at 1.4 a game, is questionable. Guard Ben Saraf, who plays 20.3 minutes a night, is out, and Egor Demin is probable. Three reserve forwards are also out.

New Orleans plays without center Yves Missi, who is out and expected back Monday, November 16; he averaged 7.5 rebounds and two blocks in his two games. Trendon Watford, at 17.7 minutes a game, is also out. Trey Murphy III, who logs 32.8 minutes, is probable, and two more players are doubtful.

Both teams arrive on losing streaks. The Pelicans have dropped three straight, including 138-87 at Golden State; the Nets lost 130-93 at Dallas in their last game.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Pelicans a 63% chance to win. Keel's projection puts it at 61%, with New Orleans by 2.5 points.