Pelicans Host Lakers In Season-Finale With Major Playoff Implications On The Line

The Pelicans may get major reinforcements with the expected return of Brandon Ingram.

The New Orleans Pelicans (49-32) host the Los Angeles Lakers (46-35) in a high-stakes season finale. Both teams have a bunch riding on the results of the contest, with the Pelicans needing a victory to secure the No. 6 seed in the West.

For the Lakers, they have a chance to host a Play-In Tournament game with a victory. New Orleans expects to get Brandon Ingram back from injury on Sunday, marking the first game Ingram has played since hyperextending his knee against the Orlando Magic.

New Orleans has gone 7-5 in the 12 games in Ingram's absence, with CJ McCollum carrying a massive offensive load. McCollum is averaging 27.3 points on 47.3% shooting from beyond the arc over the last ten games.

CJ's 43% shooting from deep is No. 1 in the league among players attempting at least eight three-pointers per game. Los Angeles struggles to stop opponent three-pointers, ranking No. 28 in opponent threes made and No. 24 in opponent three-point shooting percentage.

Dec 31, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives

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The Lakers need a victory to remain in the No. 8 spot in the West, assuring they get at least two chances in the Play-In Tournament. A loss, coupled with a Kings win, sets up the Lakers as the No. 9 seed, with a likely winner-take-all matchup with the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles has won five of their last seven games overall, and five of the last seven games against the Pelicans.

LeBron James has been an ageless wonder for the Lakers this season. Despite averaging 35 minutes per game in Year 21, James is averaging 25.6 points on a career-high 41.3% shooting from downtown.

LeBron has also played the most games since the 2017-2018 season when he played all 82 for the first time in his career. James was extra special against the Pelicans back in December when the Lakers knocked New Orleans out of the In-Season Tournament.

Nov 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) is

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Zion Williamson has been a completely different person since that tournament game in Las Vegas. Williamson received criticism from former NBA players and prognosticators for his perceived lack of effort and conditioning in that game. That is no longer the case, with Williamson having a major impact on both sides of the floor.

After recording a career-high five blocks against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Williamson also recorded a career-high six steals versus the Warriors in their latest win. Zion is averaging 26 points per game on 50% shooting in his last ten games, showing every bit of the hype bestowed upon him when he was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Lakers have had their struggles all season on the road. Los Angeles has the worst road record of all ten teams who will participate in the playoffs or Play-In games in the Western Conference. New Orleans is just 21-18 at home, but a win on Sunday will give them their longest win streak of the season and build much-needed momentum heading into the playoffs.