Nene unlikely for tonight's game vs. New Orleans Pelicans

1. Nene doubtful to face Pelicans

While he's partaken in certain practice drills in recent days, it doesn't seem likely that Nene will step on the game floor for tonight's matchup against early-season MVP candidate Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. The Wizards haven't looked good in the two most recent games that he's missed and it will only get tougher tonight when Davis shows up. It will take a total team effort and the entire depth of the Wizards frontcourt to try and stop him tonight.

2. Martell Webster coming along

Webster is making progress, though he most likely will not be suiting up during the Wizards' four-game home stretch that begins tonight. With Bradley Beal inserted into the starting lineup and Garrett Temple now playing only spot minutes after his recent ice-cold shooting, the team will be happy to have Webster back (no pun intended) whenever that is. Here's hoping he returns with some good shooting still left in the tank.

3. Turnovers are a major problem for Wizards

It sounds slightly strange to say, since the Wizards still rank in the top half of the league in turnovers per game (14.6), yet the Wizards have shown that their inability to keep the ball can, and will, bite them against better opponents than they faced early in the season. These turnovers have resulted in just two fast break points for the team in the past two games.

Most recently, it showed in their listless showings against the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In particular the first quarter is where the problems begin, as the team has coughed the ball up way too often to start the game. Unsurprisingly, that results in a game of catch-up that doesn't suit any NBA team.

4. It could be worse...

Despite being in the midst of their first losing streak of the season, the Wizards are still first in the Southeast Division. Some of that is thanks to the Charlotte Hornets and their ugly early-season struggles as they try to integrate Lance Stephenson into a solid team that made it to the playoffs last season.

They were supposed to challenge for the Southeast Division title, but at 4-12, they have a long way to go before they catch up with the rest of the division. But who knows, by the time the two teams meet for the first time this season things could turn around. They caused the Wizards problems last season and when the teams met in this past preseason.

5. Wizards face Pelicans tonight

By now you've gotten the point that the Wizards (9-5), will take on the Pelicans (7-7) in their first matchup of the season tonight. The game will kick off a four-game homestand for the Wizards, who have had a couple days to eat Thanksgiving dinner and re-focus after two straight losses. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are coming off a loss last night to the Hawks and are certainly hoping they can get a win in their second night of a back-to-back.

Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center. It can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet+ and NBATV. You can also listen on 99.1 WNEW.