Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
When: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 10:00 p.m ET
Where: Staples Center
How to watch: TNT
While the Pelicans and Lakers have combined for some emotional games, neither game featured star rookie Zion Williamson. Tuesday’s game will have an added level of intrigue with the past meeting the present for New Orleans.
In both games this season, Anthony Davis has been unstoppable, averaging 43.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in the two contests. For a team that has lacked a player to defend the All-NBA big man, Williamson will be just as important on that end of the court as he will offensively. Everything about his arrival has given the Pelicans a different dynamic on both ends of the court.
As the Pelicans have surged with Williamson, they have never been closer to the playoffs. Memphis’ blowout loss to the Clippers, their third-straight to open the second half of the season, leaves New Orleans just three games back of the eighth seed.
The Pelicans will face their biggest test of the second half so far in the next three games, though, as two of those contests will come against the Lakers with a match-up against the Cavs in-between. A win in either game would seem like an added bonus and help keep the eighth seed within reach while providing a huge boost for the playoff chase.
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