Here is what you need to know before the Lakers return home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
1)
Jeremy Lin will return to the starting lineup after missing each of the Lakers’ last two games due to an upper respiratory infection. Lin has been playing his best basketball of the season lately, averaging 21.3 points over his last four games. He has also scored at least 18 points in each game, doing so in four straight for the first time since the February 2012 “Linsanity” period.
2)
The Lakers signed rookie Jabari Brown to a multi-year contract on Wednesday morning. The D-League’s leading scorer, Brown has averaged 9.4 points in 10 games for the Lakers, while shooting 50.0 percent shooting from the field (32-for-64) and 45.8 percent on 3-pointers (11-for-24).
3)
The last time the Lakers played the Pelicans, it was also their last time having Kobe Bryant this season. The 17-time all-star tore his rotator cuff in New Orleans on Jan. 21, while L.A. was held to a New Orleans opponent-low 34.9 percent from the field.
4)
Sitting just 2.5 games behind Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Pelicans are dealing with injuries to a pair of key players. Jrue Holiday, who leads the team in assists (7.1) and steals (1.6), is out due to a stress reaction in his lower right leg. Meanwhile, Ryan Anderson, who scores the NBA’s fourth-most points off the bench (14.8), is questionable after missing 18 games because of a right MCL sprain.
5)
However, the Pelicans do have one of the league’s best overall players in Anthony Davis. The 22-year-old leads the NBA in blocks (2.4), while ranking second in points in the paint (12.1), fourth in total scoring (24.7), sixth in double-doubles (38) and seventh in field goal percentage (54.1). Davis has been even more dominant recently, as he averaged 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.1 blocks in March.
6)
With Holiday out, Tyreke Evans assumes even more ballhandling responsibilities. The 2010 Rookie of the Year is second in the league in drives to the hoop (11.9), while ranking third in team points off drives (12.7). Meanwhile, Evans also places third among non-point guards in assists (5.3).
7)
The Pelicans boast two of the NBA’s top long-range threats. Luke Babbitt leads the league in 3-point percentage (51.3), while Eric Gordon is close behind at third (44.2). Babbitt has continued to knock down triples recently, but Gordon has hit just one of his last 10.
Luke Babbitt Shot Chart (3-pointers)
8)
Lakers assistant Paul Pressey and New Orleans head coach Monty Williams go way back. Pressey served on Doc Rivers’ Orlando staff from 2000 to 2002 when Williams played small forward for the Magic.
9)
Led by Davis, the Pelicans swat a league-high 6.2 shots per game. However, teams have nonetheless managed to give New Orleans problems down low. Opponents are averaging the NBA’s second-most points in the paint (45.2) and baskets at the rim (13.3).
10)
The Pelicans rank 14th in the league in rebounds (43.6), but they have been forced to fight for them like no other team. New Orleans leads the NBA in contested rebounds* (16.6), while a league-high 38.0 percent of their total boards have been contested.
*Contested rebounds are when there is an opponent within 3.5 feet.