If the New Orleans Pelicans beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, they’ll have a great chance of making the NBA Playoffs. How will Willie Green’s team respond in what could be the season-defining matchup?
With a victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans (33-43, 9th Western Conference) can cut their magic number for an NBA Playoffs Play-in place in half.
If the Lakers are eliminated from postseason contention, they will receive no compensation in the form of a high draught pick in the NBA.
For both teams, this may be the season-ending showdown. Willie Green, on the other hand, is gambling with house money while Frank Vogel’s job is on the chopping block.
The NBA world buzzed with excitement as Anthony Davis made his much-anticipated return to the court, elevating the Los Angeles Lakers and their performance. His comeback was especially significant, as it came in a matchup against LeBron James.
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In this article, we’ll dive deep into the dynamics of the Lakers with Davis and LeBron, the pivotal moments of Davis’s tenure, and the significant impact both these legends have had on the franchise.
Contents
- 1 It’s the New Orleans Pelicans versus the Los Angeles Lakers!
- 2 Teams’ Anticipated Opening Lineups:
- 3 Anthony Davis vs. LeBron James: A Showcase of Talents
- 4 Lakers’ Record with LeBron and Davis
- 5 Anthony Davis’ Absence: How Many Games Missed?
- 6 The Acquisition of Anthony Davis
- 7 LeBron’s Championship Tally with the Lakers
- 8 In Conclusion
It’s the New Orleans Pelicans versus the Los Angeles Lakers!
When: Monday, April 1, 2022, at 9:30 p.m. Central Time
When: Currently, in the city of Los Angeles, California Coin Arena.com
Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans to Watch/Listen
Teams’ Anticipated Opening Lineups:
CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes and Jonas Valanciunas make up the Pelicans of New Orleans.
Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, LeBron James, Stanley Johnson, and Anthony Davis are all on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The stakes of this game are too high to ignore. If the Lakers want to save their season and prevent this loss from tarnishing LeBron James’ legacy, they must go to the NBA playoffs. His reputation has been severely damaged when Anthony Davis left the Orlando bubble.
If the Lakers lose on April 1st, New Orleans is likely to draught first, making it impossible for Los Angeles to replace its future roster via the draught. James (ankle) and Davis (foot) will aim to return to the lineup after being listed on the injury report for extended periods of time.
Despite a 23-point deficit after the Lakers took an early lead and James scored 39 points in 41 minutes, New Orleans came back and won on Sunday. The Lakers will benefit by playing at home, but the city of Los Angeles has made it clear that they are not happy with this squad.
Willie Green’s team has proven they can remain composed under duress. They have done so ever since they fell into a 1-12 hole to begin the season, thanks to the Lakers’ comeback and Wednesday’s gutsy win in Portland.
Having saved the season, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will strive to maximise their chemistry moving forward. Modifications will be made by Frank Vogel and Willie Green. If Herb Jones is successful in slowing down Lebron James, he will get another chance to do so.
After a first half in which James shot the ball exceptionally well from deep, Jones did a great job of limiting his production. Vogel must devise means by which the other Laker stars can more easily achieve their goals.
James and Davis aren’t the only ones who need to shake off the dust; Ingram (hamstring) and McCollum (health and safety protocols) are, too. Westbrook, Malik Monk, Wenyen Gabriel, and Austin Reeves will primarily be responsible for guarding McCollum and Ingram.
Even if LeBron James has another monster game for the Lakers, the Pelicans still have enough depth to win and finish the season unbeaten. The Pelicans’ bench units will need to be more reliable moving forward.
Only four times in the last 15 games has Devonte Graham scored more than three points. Only nine of his 18 attempts at the free throw line came against the Chicago Bulls. New Orleans’ sixth-mark spark plug, Jose Alvarado, has been stepping up recently, but he has to fire cleaner more often.
They need to figure out how to gain Jones some casual attention. Herb’s offensive efforts had stalled. In his last five games, he has shot just 12 percent from the field. On 6/14 he played the Lakers and was the only player to make more than two shots that game.
The Pelicans have won their last two games while the Lakers have lost their last four. The Pelicans have the confidence of the SI Sportsbook to pull off another victory. One could argue that this victory is among the most significant in the franchise’s annals.
Willie Green and the Pelicans need only keep their minds on the task at hand and not let the evening’s events affect them emotionally. After beating McCollum’s Portland Trail Blazers in his homecoming, the Pelicans should be in fine shape.
Anthony Davis vs. LeBron James: A Showcase of Talents
In a surreal showdown, Davis’s return to the Lakers saw him facing off against none other than LeBron James. While both are teammates, this particular matchup allowed fans to see the individual brilliance of each player.
Davis, with his exceptional defensive skills and offensive prowess, provided the spark the Lakers needed to clinch a crucial win.
Lakers’ Record with LeBron and Davis
The pairing of LeBron James and Anthony Davis has been nothing short of spectacular for the Lakers. Their synergy on the court has translated to impressive records. With both on the roster, the Lakers have boasted one of the best win-loss records in the NBA.
Their combined skill set—LeBron’s unmatched playmaking ability coupled with Davis’s dominance in the paint—makes them a formidable duo, difficult for any team to counter.
Anthony Davis’ Absence: How Many Games Missed?
Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, and Davis, despite his prowess, hasn’t been immune.
Over his tenure with the Lakers, Davis has had to sit out a significant number of games due to various ailments. Each absence was felt by the team, underscoring his importance to the squad’s overall dynamic and success.
The Acquisition of Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Anthony Davis in 2019 was a headline-grabbing move. The blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Pelicans saw the Lakers send a package of young talents and draft picks in exchange for Davis.
This strategic move by the Lakers’ front office was aimed at pairing Davis with LeBron to create a championship-caliber team, and it paid dividends when the Lakers secured the NBA title in 2020.
LeBron’s Championship Tally with the Lakers
LeBron James, since joining the Lakers, has been instrumental in leading the team to championship glory. His leadership, combined with his on-court brilliance, ensured the Lakers lifted the NBA trophy after a decade-long wait.
Under his tenure, the Lakers have clinched the NBA title, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
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In Conclusion
The Los Angeles Lakers, with the talents of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have created moments of magic on the basketball court. Davis’s return and the subsequent win over LeBron showcased the depth and brilliance of the team.
As the duo continues to play together, fans can look forward to more such exhilarating moments and hopefully, more championships in the storied franchise’s trophy cabinet.
