Big Easy Believer
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans do not stand a chance against the Lakers

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Orleans Pelicans are in Los Angeles for the most anticipated matchup of the season in a game that the team has absolutely no chance in.

Just over five months after trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in the Staples Center taking on Davis, LeBron James and the new-look Lakers.

Both the Lakers and Pelicans underwent some big changes over the summer but went in opposite directions. The Lakers want to contend now and added Davis and a slew of role players to make that happen. So far, it has worked for the Lakers, as they are an NBA-best 15-2 on the season.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans built towards the future. They got Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and a lot of draft capital that they flipped into even more capital from the Lakers. The team also got the lottery ball bounce of a lifetime and got the rights to draft Zion Williamson.

More from Big Easy Believer

Zion has not yet made his NBA debut and the Pelicans have been battling injuries overall. That, mixed with the team’s youth, has led to a slow 6-11 start. Right when it looked like the Pelicans were going to get on a roll they had to go to LA and were dismantled by the Los Angeles Clippers, 134-109.

Pelicans fans are hoping to turn it around against the other LA foe but that simply will not be the case on Wednesday. It will be more of the same as the Pelicans will get blown out by the Lakers. They simply do not stand a chance.

There is the narrative of the former Lakers coming in and gunning for the Lakers, which definitely will be in play. Brandon Ingram has been sensational this season and should be looking to stick it into the Lakers face in this one.

Lonzo Ball as well as something to prove as he returns close to home where he was constantly criticized and in the limelight. Getting out of that huge LA spotlight was huge for Ball.

However, the Pelicans simply do not have the manpower to beat the Pelicans, especially down low. New Orleans is having a size crisis with both Zion and Derrick Favors out of action and Jahlil Okafor just recently returning from injury.

The team has had to start rookie Jaxson Hayes at center and has had to run Ingram as the four. This had led the Pelicans to allow the second-most points in the paint while being one of the league’s worst defenses.

The Lakers have one of the league’s best defenses and rank third in points in the paint scored. Anthony Davis is going to have his way with his former team with the mismatches down low and I would predict that Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee have an impressive dual showing.

Next. Pelicans biggest flaws exposed in loss to Clippers. dark

I am sure Ingram will go off for a big game and Ball will play with a little bit more emphasis, but it won’t be enough. The New Orleans Pelicans are simply out-manned and cannot defeat the best team in the league, record-wise, without two of their starting frontcourt players.

Home/New Orleans Pelicans