Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers
When: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 9:30 p.m ET
Where: Smoothie King Center
How to watch: ESPN
Arguably the most-anticipated game of the year for the Pelicans will see Anthony Davis return to New Orleans on Wednesday. The Lakers come in as arguably the hottest team in the league, winners of eight straight contests with the last three being road wins.
The Pelicans could hardly be further from that. Their own recent road trip was far less successful with losses to Utah and the Clippers in the final two legs. In the process of those losses, New Orleans gave up 128 and 134 points as the defense has continued to struggle. The Pelicans now hold the fourth-worst net rating and allow the fourth-highest effective field goal percentage per game.
Making matters worse is that the Lakers are one of the top offenses in the league. Los Angeles is fifth in overall effective field goal percentage, fifth in offensive net rating and have hit their stride in recent weeks. Since Nov. 3, the Lakers are third in the league in offensive rating.
Los Angeles has found its greatest success offensively in attacking the paint, ranking second in the league effective field goal percentage at the rim. While New Orleans ranks 16th in defending the rim, they will be without big man Derrick Favors, one of the players who likely would have been tasked with defending Davis.
The Lakers’ size could present problems for a smaller New Orleans side. With Brandon Ingram and Kenrich Williams often spending time at the four, each may be matched up on Davis on the night if the Pelicans do not change up rotations. If they do, head coach Alvin Gentry may turn to Nicolo Melli more as a bigger body on the former Pelican star.
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