Pelicans at Lakers
The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to chase down the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eighth spot in the Western Conference race and need to win all the games they can. It would seem the host Los Angeles Lakers are the kind of team the Pelicans should beat as New Orleans has won this season’s three previous meetings. Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia 113-111 in overtime on Monday for its third win in six games.
New Orleans hurt itself in the quest to catch the Thunder by losing four consecutive games but has rebounded to win its last two against lowly Sacramento and Minnesota. The Pelicans won those games by an average of 18 points and now face another one of the West’s three worst teams in the Lakers. Los Angeles rookie Jordan Clarkson is excelling down the stretch and is averaging 21.6 points over the last five games after having 26 points and 11 assists against the 76ers.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (39-34): Forward Ryan Anderson (knee) is listed as questionable for the contest after missing the previous 18 games. Anderson sprained the MCL in his right knee and will be on a minutes’ restriction if he should return against the Lakers. “Ryan’s a really good player in shooting, rebounding and spacing the floor,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams told reporters. “All that stuff helps a number of guys on our team.”
ABOUT THE LAKERS (20-53): Clarkson was one of three guards who scored 20 or more points against Philadelphia as rookie Jabari Brown tallied a season-high 22 points and Wayne Ellington scored 20. Brown has scored in double digits in three of his 10 games with the squad and had three 3-pointers as part of a 7-of-10 effort, and he will get a long look over the season’s final nine games. Ellington is averaging 16.5 points with seven 3-pointers over the past two games after suffering through a 7-of-32 shooting stretch over the previous two contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans have won the previous four meetings.
2. New Orleans is 9-4 when a contest is decided by three or fewer points.
3. Los Angeles G Jeremy Lin (illness) is questionable after missing the previous two games.