Image copyright: Getty Images
2022/23 National Basketball Association (NBA) season
Regular Season
Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans
Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, USA
Thursday, 16 February 2023
05h00
Los Angeles Lakers will square off with the New Orleans Pelicans in the
National Basketball Association (NBA) match on February 16.
Head-to-Head
This will be the 70th meeting between the two teams in regular-season games since 2002 when Pelicans were formed.
The Lakers have dominated this rivalry having recorded 42 wins compared to the Pelicans' 27 victories from 69 matches.
Last Meeting
LeBron James recorded 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Lakers as they fell to the Pelicans, 131-126 at the Smoothie King Center on 5 February 2023.
Anthony Davis added 34 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks for the Lakers and CJ McCollum (23 points, seven assists) combined for 58 points for the Pelicans in the victory.
What Is At Stake
The Lakers' hopes of qualifying for the playoffs are slowly fading away as they are placed 13th on the Western Conference standings having recorded 26 victories and 32 defeats.
On the otrher hand, the Pelicans remain hopeful of reaching the playoffs and they are placed seventh on the Western Conference standings having registered 30 wins and 28 defeats.
Key Players
James, who was named NBA Player of the Week twice in January 2023, will be looking to add to his tally having recently become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 38,390 points.
While Pelican's Brandon Ingram will be keen to dazzle against Lakers having recorded a season-high 35 points, five rebounds and four assists against the same opposition on February 5.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Quotes
"Everything just stopped," James said as he described how he felt after becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
"It gave me an opportunity to embrace it and look around and seeing my family, the fans, my friends. It was pretty cool.
"I probably can count on my hands how many times I have cried in 20 years, either in happiness or in defeat. So that moment was one of them when I kind of teared up a little bit," he added.
"It was 'I can't believe what's going on' tears."
NBA fixtures - 16 and 17 February
Thursday, February 16
02:00 - Charlotte Hornets v San Antonio Spurs
02:00 - Indiana Pacers v Chicago Bulls
02:30 - Atlanta Hawks v New York Knicks
02:30 - Boston Celtics v Detroit Pistons
02:30 - Brooklyn Nets v Miami Heat
02:30 - Philadelphia 76ers v Cleveland Cavaliers
03:00 - Memphis Grizzlies v Utah Jazz
03:00 - Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets
04:00 - Denver Nuggets v Dallas Mavericks
05:00 - Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, February 17
02:30 - Chicago Bulls v Milwaukee Bucks
03:00 - Minnesota Timberwolves v Washington Wizards
05:00 - Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers
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