Lakers Podcast: Pelicans Preview, How L.A. Can Get Even Better During 2019-20 NBA Season

Trevor Lane
3 Min Read
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers conclude their four-game road trip with a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans that promises to be full of emotion.

With Anthony Davis back in town for the first time since the earth-shattering trade that brought him to Los Angeles, the New Orleans crowd will almost certainly make their opinion known as their former talisman returns.

While on paper, the 15-2 Lakers are the heavy favorites over the 6-11 Pelicans — who have dealt with a myriad of injuries to top players like Lonzo Ball, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Derrick Favors — there is a path for them to turn this game into a real contest and that involves hitting lots of three-pointers.

On this episode of the Lakers Nation Podcast, host Trevor Lane digs into what should be a fun matchup.

Thus far, teams that have been able to keep up with the pressure the Lakers can apply when they attack the rim have done so by taking and making a lot of three-pointers, which just so happens to be a specialty of the Pelicans, who rank fifth in the NBA in both three-point attempts and percentage.

They also play at the fourth-fastest pace, which means this will be a game of two contrasting styles. Whichever side is able to bend the game to their preferred rate of play will give themselves a big advantage.

Speaking of bigs, the Lakers have a real opportunity for a blowout win if they can find a way to put pressure on the Pelicans three-point shooters. The team’s defense has slid in recent weeks due to Avery Bradley‘s injury, but a resurgence in their efforts on the perimeter would go a long way towards walking away with a win.

The Pelicans rank 29th in the NBA in points given up in the paint, which means that the Lakers should be able to use some bully ball inside with Davis, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and LeBron James to get scoring opportunities at the rim.

Beyond the Lakers game against the Pelicans, I take a look at some things the Lakers can do in order to get even better. Despite having the best record in the league, they could still use another perimeter defender as well as a bit more scoring punch off the bench. But where can they find those things?

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Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com