Friday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
Other 2013-14 games between these two teams
Tuesday, Nov. 12, New Orleans at Los Angeles
Tuesday, March 4, New Orleans at Los Angeles
Why it’s on the list
Sure, the Lakers lost Dwight Howard in free agency to Houston. And Kobe Bryant may not be ready to play in this early November matchup as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Still, this is the lone visit to New Orleans of the 2013-14 season by the Lakers, who remain one of the NBA’s biggest road attractions.
Lakers trips to the Crescent City have provided several of the most memorable moments in the history of the New Orleans Arena, starting with a March 2006 game that was the first major professional sporting event here after Hurricane Katrina. Early last season, Bryant reached the 30,000-point plateau for his career with a mid-range jumper in NOLA, becoming the youngest player in league history to do so.
Games against the Lakers always possess a big-event feel, with few seats available.
What’s new in Los Angeles
Unlike the stunning 2012 offseason, when the Lakers made momentous splashes by acquiring Howard and two-time MVP Steve Nash, it’s been a much lower-profile summer for L.A. The Lakers picked up former New Orleans center Chris Kaman, who likely will take over the starting pivot following Howard’s departure. Free-agent addition shooting guard Nick Young also figures to have a prominent role in the Lakers’ rotation. Later in free agency, Los Angeles netted forward Wesley Johnson and guard Jordan Farmar, who’s in his second stint with the franchise. Duke forward Ryan Kelly was a second-round pick in the June draft.