Ryan Anderson will play tonight

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“You make sure you keep his minutes at a level that doesn’t force him to (for example) pull a hamstring,” Williams said of his approach to easing Anderson back into the mix. “You don’t want to throw the rhythm off of the bigs that are playing. Alexis and Dante, Omer and AD have played really well. Incorporating Ryan into that group is going to be a bit of a challenge. At the same time, I don’t want to upset that rhythm.”

Anderson said he’s not 100 percent yet in terms of basketball shape – it would be impossible to maintain that after being sidelined for five-plus weeks – but the Pelicans certainly can use his perimeter shooting, among his various strengths. Despite missing the 18 games, Anderson ranks a close second on New Orleans in three-point makes in 2014-15, with 111 in his 52 appearances (Eric Gordon has 117 treys).

“There’s going to be moments where I have to work out some kinks, and I’m not in the greatest shape,” Anderson said. “I just want to help the team. We’re playing really well right now, so I don’t want to be a (impediment) in the wheel. At this point in the season it’s tough coming back while the guys are playing at a high level. I just want to help the team, and I’m going to do everything possible on the court to do that.”

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