All Lakers Expert Predictions for LA's Must-Win Game Against the Pelicans
The Los Angeles Lakers are getting set for their most important game of the season on Tuesday, March 14. The Lakers are heading to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in about as must-win as a non-elimination game can be.
The Lakers and Pelicans are currently tied in the Western Conference standings at 33-35, with LA holding the tiebreaker. The Lakers must keep it that way, and ensure that they remain on top of New Orleans for the last month of the NBA season.
Ahead of this important game, our All Lakers experts Alex Kirschenbaum and Noah Camras have everything you need to know for the game, including who's going to win.
1. It's a revenge game for Anthony Davis. He's coming off a down game in a loss against the Knicks, and blamed himself for the loss. Is he going to bounce back tonight?
Noah: The Lakers need Anthony Davis to be his dominant self if they're going to win this game. He already has three double-doubles against his old team this season, and on Tuesday, he's going to put on another show. I see him scoring 32 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, blocking three shots and doing everything he can to lead this team to victory.
Alex: Across his last two games, AD has averaged 12.5 points on 48% shooting and 12.5 rebounds. I agree that Davis needs to step up tonight, I'll predict more modest numbers of 24 points and 10 boards.
2. The Lakers role players shot horribly from deep in the loss against New York. Will Malik Beasley or Troy Brown Jr. get back on track?
Alex: Brown was especially brutal, going 0-for-8 from the floor (0-for-7 from deep). He went 3-of-4 from the free-throw line and finished with three points. Beasley shot 4-of-12 from the floor (2-of-8 from deep) and took zero foul shots, finishing with 10 points and a -5 plus/minus. Beasley, an avowed chucker, runs hot and cold from game-to-game. Brown rarely shoots as many threes as I'd like him to, and I hope that one 0-for-7 game doesn't kill his confidence. I'm predicting that TBJ makes a valiant comeback but over-adjusts his shot profile, prioritizing paint takes.
Noah: I think in Malik Beasley's case, the Lakers just have to let him shoot out of his slump. He's a great shooter, and he's going to figure it out. With Troy Brown Jr., however, he's been up and down all year long. I think if he continues to struggle with his shot today, Darvin Ham has to bring him onto the bench.
3. Do you think Darvin Ham needs to change anything in his rotations?
Noah: Yes. If someone like Troy Brown Jr. is struggling, Ham needs to make a change. Give Lonnie Walker IV some run, a guy you know can score the basketball in bunches. Also, Austin Reaves needs to play way more minutes than he did against the Knicks. He played just 25 minutes against New York, but should be over 30 every single game — especially when Brown Jr. and Beasley are struggling.
Alex: Brown is just a much better, more versatile defender, and is developing into being a more willing shooter. I also like that he's bigger (6'6") than Walker (listed at 6'4", but if you told me he was actually 6'3" I would believe you). I'd be amenable to a look at Austin Reaves in the starting five over Brown I suppose, but generally Brown has been okay lately. Across his last 10 games, he's averaging 7.8 points a game, and mostly sticking to three-point attempts (4.6 of his 6.8 field goal tries are from deep in that span). He's connecting on just 39.7% of his field goals total, but 39.1% of his triples! He's also chipping in 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals a night. I'm with you on giving Reaves more minutes, but I like Brown in the starting five for now.
4. Are the Lakers leaving New Orleans with a victory?
Alex: Yes. I'm optimistic about bounce-back games from Anthony Davis and Troy Brown Jr., and I think Jarred Vanderbilt will absolutely show out against Brandon Ingram (should he play).
Noah: The Lakers need to win, and I think they get it done. D'Angelo Russell is going to put on a show, and keep the Lakers playoff hopes alive and well. Lakers by five on the road.
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