Wednesday is a big night for the undefeated New Orleans Pelicans as they take on last season's champs - the Miami Heat - in the Pels only home game of this pre season.
The new look, new name Pelicans will have the chance to test how much they've really changed and grown this season against the NBA's best.
However, New Orleans will once again play without new acquisition Tyreke Evans, who's still battling the ankle injury he sustained in the team's pre-season opener against the Houston Rockets.
"It's tough, just to know that I could be out there helping them in certain positions, and I can't go," Evans said. "Every time I watch, I wish I could be out there, but I had this injury before and I tried to rush it and kind of hurt it again. I want to be careful with how I come back from injury because I want to be healthy for the season, have a good season with this team and make the playoffs."
The Pels are anxious to get Evans back because of his size, ability and knowledge to fill in at several positions, but the New Orleans coaching staff also knows the race really begins this time next week - when the regular season opens.
Coach Monty Williams is hopeful Evans can make one final practice run Friday against the Orlando Magic before the regular season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
