Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Starting sans Alvarado

Payton will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

The veteran point guard will receive the starting nod due to Jose Alvarado (calf) being sidelined. Payton has averaged 2.6 points, 8.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.2 minutes per game over his last five outings (one start).