Lakers, Pelicans clash in final regular season meeting

The Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans will square off at Crypto.com Arena for the final time in the regular season.

This is a must-win game for both sides, who are fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament. The Pelicans are ninth in the West, at 33-43, and have won five of their last seven.

On the other hand, the Lakers are 11th in the West, at 31-45, and tied with the San Antonio Spurs, who have the tiebreaker. They have lost four in a row and eight of their last 10.

Being just 4-14 after the All-Star break, the Lakers are out of the play-in tournament spots and the remaining games are must win for them.

Tonight vs the Pelicans, the 17-time NBA champions will have both LeBron James and Anthony Davis available.

James missed the last two games with an ankle injury, with the Lakers suffering blowout defeats to the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, respectively.

For his part, Davis returns after missing 18 games with a right mid-foot sprain. Both of them will start vs New Orleans, alongside Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley and Dwight Howard. Carmelo Anthony is out for the hosts with a non-Covid illness.

For their part, and no matter the result tonight, the Pelicans will win the season series (currently 2-0) and will have the tiebreaker.

New Orleans defeated the Lakers five days ago (108-116). Another victory tonight will bring them very close to the play-in tournament (April 12-15).

#LosAngelesLakers #NewOrleansPelicans