Pelicans' Asik to return from 4-game absence Tuesday

The New Orleans Pelicans handled DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings on the road last Tuesday without Omer Asik to help defend him in the post.

They'll get Asik back when they play on home turf in the return match Tuesday night, as the Turkish 7-footer is set to return from a four-game absence. Asik has been dealing with a sore lower back since Nov. 17, but he's been activated and will play, giving the Pelicans another tough defensive option to throw at the red-hot Cousins.

In eight games before being sidelined, Asik was averaging nine points, 10 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes while shooting a robust 60.9 percent from the floor. The Pelicans' defense improved substantially with Asik on the court, holding opponents to 10.4 fewer points per-100 possessions than when he was on the bench.

The pairing of Asik and Anthony Davis has proven as effective as hoped, outscoring opponents by 12.1 points per-100 possessions in their 175 minutes together.

It's unclear whether Asik will draw back into the starting lineup or Alexis Ajinca will continue to start at the pivot, having started at center in Asik's absence. In his four starts, Ajinca is averaging 7.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, though he hasn't been nearly as good as Asik defensively.