NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (30-28) AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS (26-32)
9 p.m. Central, Bally Sports New Orleans, ESPN, WRNO 99.5 FM
Overview
Just 11 days ago, Los Angeles visited New Orleans, with a chance to technically move ahead of the Pelicans in the Western Conference standings. Instead, the Pelicans posted a 131-126 victory to stay in front of the Lakers. Since then, the gap between the two teams has further expanded, with New Orleans winning three of its last four games, while L.A. has gone 1-3. The Pelicans enter Wednesday’s meeting with a chance to put the Lakers deeper into the rearview mirror; a win would mean a five-game lead, as well as a 2-1 season-series advantage (the fourth and final matchup is March 14 in the Smoothie King Center). The second tiebreaker step is conference record, where the Pelicans are also in very good position (NOLA is 19-14 vs. the West; the Lakers are just 13-20).
Trade Deadline Moves
New Orleans added reserve wing Josh Richardson, an addition that already paid dividends in the veteran’s Pelicans debut Monday at Oklahoma City (10 points, career high-tying five steals in team-high 34 minutes). Los Angeles acquired quality depth and talent (D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba) in a combination of deals with Minnesota and Utah, at a minimal short-term cost.
Players to Watch
PELICANS Brandon Ingram New Orleans went 0-5 immediately after he returned from a toe injury, but is 4-1 since (he was a DNP once in each of those five-game spans). His phenomenal February is highlighted by a scoring average of 30.0 points on 55 percent shooting from the field. Josh Richardson The 29-year-old native of the Oklahoma City metro area was superb in his first game with New Orleans, doing some excellent defensive work on OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Richardson again could be given difficult assignments on that end of the floor in the City of Angels. Jose Alvarado If CJ McCollum (questionable, right ankle sprain) misses a second straight game, the point guard’s two-way impact becomes even more vital for NOLA. The Pelicans don’t always need him to score, but he’s tallied 14-plus points in each of his last three starts.
LAKERS LeBron James Listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness, he has not played in a game since Feb. 7 vs. Oklahoma City, when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (38 points in a loss). He’s scored at least 26 points in each of his last five appearances, including 27 against the Pelicans on Feb. 4. Anthony Davis Listed as probable (right foot stress injury), the former Pelican has played in nine of his team’s last 10 contests, only sitting out Jan. 30 at Brooklyn in the first half of a back-to-back in New York City. Davis has averaged 27.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks vs. NOLA in two prior meetings.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
NEW ORLEANS (30-28, 7TH IN WEST)
Monday win at Oklahoma City
Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: Tuesday’s results on the West scoreboard meant that New Orleans can be no lower than eighth during the NBA All-Star break. The only team behind the Pelicans that can pass them over the next two nights is eighth-place Minnesota (31-29), which will host Washington on Thursday. Ninth-place Golden State (29-29) is one game behind New Orleans but has already concluded its pre-All-Star break schedule. Utah (29-30) is 1.5 games back of the Pelicans.
LA LAKERS (26-32, 13TH IN WEST)
Monday loss at Portland
Dennis Schroder, D’Angelo Russell, Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis
Notes: The first step for the Lakers in their potential progression up the West ladder is to at least move up a spot or two out of 13th place. No. 12 Oklahoma City (27-29) still owns a two-game advantage on the Lakers in the standings, as well as a 1-0 lead in the season series, having spoiled James’ record-breaking night. No. 11 Portland (28-30) is also two games ahead of L.A. and split the season series 2-2, but the Trail Blazers are well ahead in conference record.
FanDuel Keys to the Game
NEW FACES, BIG IMPACT How will Richardson follow up his splendid first appearance in a Pelicans uniform? For the Lakers, Russell and reserves Beasley and Vanderbilt have also been very helpful with their new team, including sparking Saturday’s upset win at Golden State (sans Steph Curry).
MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART I Ingram’s availability has made a direct impact on the results of two previous Pelicans-Lakers games this season. When he was a DNP on Nov. 2, New Orleans lost a heartbreaker in overtime, but Ingram poured in 35 points on Feb. 4, catalyzing a memorable Pelicans victory.
MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART II The center position in this matchup will at least partly come down to lineup usage. Traditional center Valanciunas has logged a modest 24 and 22 minutes in two meetings vs. L.A., while small-ball reserve Larry Nance Jr. played 24 and 31 (sometimes to try to match up with the athletic Davis at the 5 spot).