Here is what you need to know before the Lakers’ tilt with the New Orleans Pelicans.
1)
Kobe Bryant will return to the starting lineup after missing the Lakers’ last two games in order to rest. Bryant’s return is welcome news for L.A., which is winless in five road games without its captain this season. The 19-year veteran has been sharp in the major aspects of his game lately, averaging 15.5 points, 9.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in his last six contests.
2)
Ronnie Price will also be returning against New Orleans. The Lakers have gone 0-3 without Price, which includes both of their last two games. Jeremy Lin started at point guard in Price’s stead, averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 assists as a fill-in.
3)
The Lakers bench has stepped up recently, outscoring each of their last 10 opponents’ benches. L.A.’s reserves have been key all season, as 10 of the team’s 12 wins have come when the bench outscores the opponent’s. Despite shooting just 31.9 percent during the Lakers' last 10 games, Nick Young has been a big part of the bench's success, as he leads the team in scoring (14.5) during that span, while shooting 94.7 percent (54-for-57) from the free throw line.
4)
The Pelicans have won a franchise-record three straight games against the Lakers. Prior to this streak, New Orleans was just 1-12 against L.A. under head coach Monty Williams.
5)
Anthony Davis is back among New Orleans’ starting five after missing three straight games with a sprained toe. The 21-year-old is an early MVP candidate, as he leads the league in blocks (2.9) and player efficiency rating (31.6). Davis has also been the Pelicans’ primary scoring threat, ranking third in the NBA in scoring (24.2), primarily because of his presence down low where he averages the third-most points in the paint (12.5).
6)
Despite missing 21 games due to injury, averaging the fewest points (11.5) in his career and having yet to dunk this season, Eric Gordon appears to be turning a corner. In his eight games since returning from an injured left shoulder, Gordon has contributed 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists, while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 40.0 percent on 3-pointers.
7)
Tyreke Evans uses his 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame to get to the basket and set his teammates up for open looks. The swingman drives to the hoop the second-most often in the league (12.2), which has netted him the second-most team points on drives (13.2). However, Evans has struggled to get his own buckets in these situations, as his 40.0 percent shooting on drives is the lowest among those that drive at least eight times per game.
8)
Ryan Anderson is currently one of the league’s biggest sparks off the pine, ranking second among reserves in bench scoring (15.4). However, the 2012 Most Improved Player has fallen into a frosty stretch, shooting just 9-for-39 (23.1 percent) from the field and 6-for-24 (25.0 percent) on 3-pointers in his last three games.
Ryan Anderson Shot Chart (Last Three Games)
9)
The Pelicans have lived and died in the paint. Led by Davis, they are scoring the second-most points in the paint this season (47.3), which the Lakers experienced firsthand, as New Orleans has averaged 51.0 paint points in the teams’ first two meetings this year. However, on the flip side, the Pelicans are also allowing the third-most points in the paint (45.8).
10)
New Orleans has experienced issues with ball movement this season, as it ranks second-to-last in the league in passes (269.8). The Pelicans are also place next to the bottom in assist opportunities (39.2) and average the fewest secondary assists (3.2) in the NBA.