Alexis Ajinca will start Thursday's game against the Pacers alongside Omer Asik.

Ajinca will start Thursday's game against the Pacers alongside Omer Asik, Pelicans radio voice Sean Kelley reports.

Analysis:

Coach Alvin Gentry will go with an extra-large lineup Thursday to counter the Pacers' starting center-power forward combination of Myles Tuner and Ian Mahinmi. That means Dante Cunningham will shift to the bench, though he figures to fill close to his regular role as the game wears on. Ajinca missed nine games earlier in the month with a fractured sternum, but he's seen time in each of the last two contests, including 12 minutes against Miami on Tuesday.