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2020-21 NBA Regular Season
Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans
16 January 2021
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Defending
NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers will be on the hunt for the scalp of the New Orleans Pelicans when the teams meet for a 2020-21 Regular Season game at the Staples Center in LA, California on the morning of 16 January 2021.
The Lakers have opened the defence of their crown strongly, with Anthony Davis outshining even the great LeBron James thus far in 2020-21. “His shot-making just makes him so difficult to guard and he can hurt you in so many ways," Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel said of 'A.D.'.
Vogel added that the Lakers are looking to make unpredictability a key part of their offence: “We play with a lot of randomness and empower our point guard on the floor, whether that’s ‘Bron, Dennis or Alex to call the action with my ability to put guys in spots when needed. But we empower our group to play with good offensive concepts as much as anything."
The Pelicans have struggled for consistency this season, best exemplified in their 118-110 loss to the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week.
“There is some frustration because I just want to win," Zion Williamson said New Orleans' recent skid, characterized by untimely defensive lapses. “We’ve got to hold ourselves accountable for those types of losses, whether it’s the turnovers, whether it’s the lack of rotation, communication."
Coach Stan van Gundy added, "We have to play with more intensity. It's a tough trip on the road for the next two weeks, with a pandemic going on, but we know what we can achieve if we come together as a team."
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In head-to-head terms, the Lakers and Pelicans have met in 61 Regular Season games since 2002-03. The Los Angeles franchise has claimed 39 wins compared to New Orleans' 22.
The teams last met in the Regular Season in March 2020, with the Lakers claiming a 122-114 home win, inspired by 34 points from LeBron James.
Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans – Head-to-head
Regular season games played: 61
Lakers wins: 39
Pelicans wins: 22