The Los Angeles Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena tonight looking to extend their winning streak to seven games when they host the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is set for 6:30 PM EST, and on paper, this matchup feels like two teams moving in completely opposite directions.
The Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the league, while the Pelicans just can’t seem to climb out of the hole they’ve fallen into.
Luka Doncic continues to set the tone for the Lakers. He enters the night averaging 35.1 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.5 rebounds, firmly in the early MVP conversation.
Luka has been unstoppable in every possible way. Against Dallas on Friday, he poured in 35 points and added 11 assists while controlling the rhythm of the entire game. What makes the Lakers even more dangerous is that he’s not doing it alone.
Austin Reaves has turned into a genuine star, averaging 28.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.9 rebounds across an electric start to the season. His 38-point performance against the Mavericks showcased just how far his game has come. He shot 12 of 15 from the field, hit six threes, and made tough finishes in traffic that had the arena buzzing.
When Reaves and Luka are rolling together, the Lakers’ offense flows naturally and forces defenses to pick their poison.
LeBron James has also looked sharp since returning from his injury. He is averaging 16.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5 rebounds in limited games, and while he’s still working into full rhythm, his impact as a playmaker and stabilizer remains enormous. He is listed as questionable for tonight due to injury management, and Marcus Smart (back injury) is also questionable.
Even if LeBron sits, the Lakers have shown they can keep winning behind their two red-hot guards and improved depth.
Los Angeles enters the matchup second in the West at 14-4, winners of eight of their last ten, and steadily building momentum in both the regular season and NBA Cup competition.
On the other side, the Pelicans are in complete free fall. They sit at 3-17, the worst record in the West, and have dropped nine of their last ten. They’re also in the second leg of a back-to-back after falling 104-96 to the Warriors on Saturday. Zion Williamson led the way with 25 points against Golden State, while Saddiq Bey added 21, but New Orleans continues to struggle with consistency, closing offense, and defensive organization.
The injury report only complicates things for them. Jordan Poole (quad injury), Trey Murphy III (elbow injury), Jordan Hawkins (illness), and Karlo Matkovic (calf injury) are all questionable. Herbert Jones (calf injury) and Dejounte Murray (achilles) remain out. If Murphy and Poole sit again, the Pelicans lose two of their primary scorers, leaving even more pressure on Zion to carry the load.
Given the contrast in momentum, health, and chemistry, the Lakers enter as clear favorites. If Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves find a rhythm early, this has all the makings of a game that could get out of hand quickly. The Pelicans will need their best effort of the season to keep pace, but right now, the Lakers look like a team ready to keep rolling.
