2019-20 NBA – New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers Preview & Pick
THE FACTS
When is New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers taking place? Saturday 4th January, 2020 – 03:30 (UK)
Where is New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers taking place? Staples Center
What channel is New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers on? ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet, Fox Sports New Orleans
Where can I stream New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers? If the game is televised on Sky Sports, subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go / NBA League Pass subscribers can stream every game live on the online service, WatchESPN, Fox Sports GO
Where can I get tickets for New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers? https://nbatickets.nba.com/
What was the outcome in the last meeting? New Orleans Pelicans 110 – 114 Los Angeles Lakers
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
- As young team with little to cheer on before now, the Pelicans are going through their best run of form this season and enter this game on a four-game winning streak following their recent 127-112 win over the Houston Rockets. That said, they still sit in 14th place of the Western Conference with an 11-23 record.
- Darius Miller is out due to an Achilles injury, and he is expected to miss most – if not all – of the regular season. Zion Williamson remains sidelined as well, but he is expected to debut at some point next week while rehabbing from an ongoing knee issue.
- Brandon Ingram has been New Orleans’ best player this season, as the former Laker is having a career year while featuring for the Pels. The 22-year-old small forward is averaging 25.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.1 minutes per game. He is also shooting a career-best 40.9 percent from three-point range.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
- The Lakers have left their negative run behind and enter this contest on a three-game winning streak thanks to their 117-107 win over the Phoenix Suns the last time out. To make things even better, the Lakers still sit at the top of the standings with a 27-7 record.
- Los Angeles will be without center DeMarcus Cousins, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and backup point guard Alex Caruso might not feature, either. He is dealing with a calf injury and should be considered as questionable entering this matchup.
- LeBron James continues to lead the league in assists with 10.9 per game, but he and Anthony Davis both lead the team in scoring since both are averaging 25.3 points per game. The fact that both combine for over 50 points per contest shows how important they are for the Lakers on a nightly basis.
THE PREDICTION
Both sides enter this matchup on winning streaks, but it’s clear the Lakers are the better of the two. Los Angeles have won their last two contests at the Staples Center and own a 12-4 mark at home, while the Pelicans are 5-12 on the road even though they have won three of their last four on the road. The biggest factor here could be the defense. While the Lakers allow 105.3 points per game – fifth-best mark in the league – the Pelicans are the third-worst team in the league based on that statistic since they allow 116.4 points per contest. That should be enough reason to consider the Lakers as the favourites here.
