Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
When: Friday, Jan. 3, 10:30 p.m ET
Where: Staples Center
How to watch: ESPN
For the first time since being dealt out of the city, the former Baby Lakers will lead the Pelicans into Staples Center to meet the Los Angeles Lakers. While it’s the first trip to Los Angeles, it isn’t the first meeting as the two teams had a memorable pre-Thanksgiving clash that saw the purple and gold hold on late for a win.
That loss for New Orleans was early in what would become a 13-game losing streak. However, more recently, the Pelicans have won four straight games and five of their last six.
Defense has been key for the Pelicans in that stretch as they have the third-best defensive rating over the last six games at 100.5 points per 100 possessions. The Lakers, who once sported a top-five defense early in the season, have slipped to sixth overall on the year but have improved their offense to fourth overall.
After not being available for the first meeting, Lonzo Ball will face off against the Lakers for the first time this season.
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