SteemSports Presenter:@mateonav53
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
The Los Angeles Lakers are traveling down to the bayou to battle the #5 seed New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST. The last time these teams faced, the Pelicans prevailed 139-117 and Rajan Rondo, Isaiah Thomas, and coach Luke Walton all got tossed from the game in response to an altercation between Thomas and Rondo.
Brandon Ingram was rumored to return to the hardwood for this game, but he has been ruled out yet again. He wasn't able to practice on Wednesday back in Los Angeles so they're deciding to sit him. He has been out since the 3rd of March when he sustained a groin injury against the Miami Heat.
The Lakers initially won four of their first six games without Brandon, but they're on a three-game losing streak now and really missing his play making and lengthy perimeter defense. Before he went down, the Lakers were playing so well that people wondered if they could make a run at the 8-seed at the last minute. However, those hopes have quieted and this three-game losing streak just shows how much of a difference Ingram has made for LA this year.
It doesn't help that Josh Hart has been out with a broken hand too. He was making some solid contributions on defense, 3 point shooting, and surprisingly rebounding. Hart is attempting to return to action before the season ends. He's targeting a return date of March 30th against the Milwaukee Bucks. It would be great if the dazzling late-round pick is able to return right before the season ends, that way the fans can get some Josh Hart action before hitting the dreary, arduous NBA offseason.
The Pelicans have had a solid month of March, winning 7 out of 11 games played. They've dropped games against playoff teams such as Utah, Washington, San Antonio, and Houston. On the other hand, they've snatched victory from Boston and Indiana who will field solid postseason squads. Although they have some clear personnel advantages over the Lakers, LA has been prone to some surprisingly strong road performances the last couple months spurred by the productive play of guys like Julius Randle, Lonzo Ball, and Isaiah Thomas (who has shown some nice offensive chemistry with Randle lately).
The Lakers really need a victory to lift their spirits, but Anthony Davis has had them in such a vice grip for the longest time. He feasted on them with a humongous 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists in 33 minutes the last time they faced on Valentine's Day. Jrue Holiday, who has been having an underappreciated, great season tallied up 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in 33 minutes as well. The Lakers just don't have any big who can keep up with the athleticism and talent of Anthony Davis on defense, and if anyone is going to give Julius Randle a tough time in the paint it's The Brow and his long arms. It's hard to imagine the Lakers pulling a win off against Davis and the 'Cans, I think they'll fall to the home team 120-105.
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