Pelicans at Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers aim to win their sixth consecutive game when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Forward LeBron James hit the go-ahead shot with 30.4 seconds left in Sunday's 114-112 home win over the Boston Celtics to help the Lakers open up a five-game lead over the second-place Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference race.
Los Angeles power forward Anthony Davis tormented his former organization in the first two meetings this season by averaging 43.5 points with outputs of 41 in New Orleans and 46 at home. Davis recorded 32 points and 13 rebounds versus the Celtics for his sixth straight double-double and scored at least 25 points in each contest. The Pelicans have a new star in forward Zion Williamson and the rookie has scored 20 or more points in eight straight games after posting 28 points in Sunday's 115-101 road win over the Golden State Warriors. "He isn't your typical 19-year-old," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said after the win over Golden State. "He's a very mature kid, very respectful of his teammates and they are very respectful of him as well. He is all about winning. Just winning."
TIME: 10 p.m. ET. TV: TNT, TSN
ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-32): Williamson was 13-of-20 shooting against the Warriors and even knocked down a 3-pointer, his first since going 4-of-4 in his NBA debut on Jan. 22. Williamson stepped up as a leader at halftime when he encouraged his teammates to pick up the pace as New Orleans trailed by 10 before outscoring Golden State 69-45 in the second half. "It was one of those things where I just said, 'Yo, we have to play with more energy. We're much better than this,'" Williamson told reporters. "When it comes down to it, if I say something then it means I'm into the game and something isn't right. Obviously we got the win and that's the most important part."
ABOUT THE LAKERS (43-12): James contributed 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds against the Celtics and is averaging 31 points, 10 assists and 7.7 rebounds over the past three games. Davis and James combined for 61 of the staring five's 71 points against the Celtics but forward Kyle Kuzma (16 points) and center Dwight Howard (10 points, seven rebounds) delivered solid contributions off the bench. Starting guard Avery Bradley had just three points against his former teammates after scoring in double digits in five straight games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Lakers are 2-0 against the Pelicans this season and won the past four meetings.
2. All-Star SF Brandon Ingram, who went to New Orleans as part of the trade for Davis, is averaging 22.5 points in the two games against the Lakers but is just 14-of-48 shooting.
3. Los Angeles officially signed F Markieff Morris and waived injured C DeMarcus Cousins (knee).