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A pair of Western Conference teams look to close out the 2023 calendar year with a victory as they collide in the Big Easy. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road as they make the trip to face the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night. Los Angeles was on the road as they took on Minnesota in the front game of a back-to-back set Saturday night. The Lakers rolled to a 133-112 home win over Charlotte Thursday night in their previous contest, covering the line as a 13-point favorite. New Orleans downed Utah 112-105 at home in their previous game Thursday night though they failed to cover the line as an 8.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Lakers own a 45-27 advantage and have won the last three meetings, including a 133-89 romp at home in the first matchup this season December 7.
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Los Angeles was in action on the road against Minnesota Saturday night in the opening game of this back-to-back set that closes here. The Lakers entered Saturday 17-15 on the season and stood third in the Pacific Division, 2.5 games behind the Clippers for the top spot. They were eighth in the Western Conference, seven games behind Minnesota for the top spot, one game behind the Mavericks for the final guaranteed playoff spot and 1.5 games ahead of the Warriors to remain in the play-in tournament. Los Angeles is 2-4 in the second game of back-to-back situations this season with a -7-ppg scoring differential (110 ppg for, 117 ppg against) on the year. The Lakers are 6-11 on the road entering Saturday with a -6.9-ppg scoring margin (113.7 ppg for, 120.6 ppg against) in those situations. Los Angeles is 13-9 against Western Conference foes entering Saturday with a +2-ppg scoring margin (115.5 ppg for, 113.5 ppg against) this season.
The Lakers are 17th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 114.7 points per game. Los Angeles is 17th in rebounding with 44 boards per contest and 7th in assists with 27.6 per game. The Lakers stand 15th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 114.5 points per night. LeBron James is leading the team with 25.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per contest this season. Anthony Davis contributes 24.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a night while D’Angelo Russell chips in 15.1 points, three rebounds and 6.2 assists per contest. Austin Reaves (15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, five assists) and Rui Hachimura (12.2 points) each average in double figures. Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes are looked to contribute for coach Darvin Ham. The Lakers are 5th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 48.7% fr om the floor as a team. Los Angeles is 28th in the league with 11 triples per game while standing 20th in three-point shooting by shooting 36.1% from downtown.
Vincent (knee) underwent surgery and is now expected to be out until late February. Davis (ankle) and James (illness) were both considered questionable for Saturday’s game against Minnesota. Watch for any updates on their respective statuses leading toward tip-off.
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