Game Preview: Lakers vs Pelicans

On a second night of a back to back, after losing to the defending champion Denver Nuggets last night, the Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans in Crypto.com Arena. Tonight , LA will look to bounce back in a game which could be pivotal for seeding purposes down the line. The Lakers have a lengthy injury report, with D’Angelo Russell is only probable after missing last night’s game with a knee issue. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are questionable. Max Christie is doubtful with an ankle sprain picked up last night. Cam Reddish, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent are also all out.

Contain McCollum

When thinking about the Pelicans the two stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson come to mind. However the X factor for New Orleans seems to be skilled scorer CJ McCollum. He’s a guard who can score in bunches at all 3 levels, and gets hot very quickly. When McCollum has scoring success the Pelicans tend to win games, so the Laker defense will have to find a way to deal with that tough matchup without their best perimeter defenders in Vanderbilt, Reddish, Vincent, and Christie.

Bounce Back Rui

Rui Hachimura had a tough night last night against Denver. The Lakers will need his scoring production as well as his length defensively going forward, considering how shorthanded they are in the wing department. Can Hachimura come out aggressive tonight and look to get going early to bounce back from his struggles last night? He offers versatility in the Lakers forward rotation and they desperately need his production going forward on both ends of the floor..