“Pelicans Sink 42 Three-Pointers in 2 Games; Lakers Require Breakout Performance to Secure Eighth Seed”
The Lakers are set to face the Pelicans tomorrow morning in what marks the final day of the NBA regular season. It’s not just another game for the Lakers; it’s their last chance to secure a playoff spot. A win would clinch the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but a loss could see them drop to tenth. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and LeBron James has made it clear that victory against the Pelicans is non-negotiable.
However, beating the Pelicans won’t be easy. In their recent match against the Grizzlies, the Lakers showed poor form, particularly on defense, allowing easy baskets. Despite having LeBron and AD, they only narrowly won. Post-game, Anthony Davis admitted, “The Pelicans have many weapons on both ends of the floor, and we need to play smarter. We can’t afford to play like we did against the Grizzlies. We need to be focused and replicate our performance against the Pelicans from earlier this season, or even draw from our recent home game against them.”
Davis is spot on. If the Lakers don’t step up defensively against the Pelicans, they risk suffering a fate similar to the Warriors, who were overwhelmed by the Pelicans’ three-point barrage in just one quarter. The Pelicans have been on fire lately, hitting 20+ threes in consecutive games, totaling a record-breaking 42 threes. CJ McCollum has been particularly impressive, shooting lights out in their recent games.
In their matchup against the Warriors, McCollum scored 28 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and blocked 2 shots, hitting 8 of 13 from beyond the arc. Over the past four games, McCollum has been shooting an incredible 61.7% from three, sinking at least 5 threes per game. With the Pelicans emerging as a nightmare for playoff hopefuls, the Lakers must avoid becoming their latest victim.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are determined to secure the sixth seed in the West and potentially achieve a franchise-first 50-win season. Despite missing key players like Ingram due to injury, they’re pulling out all the stops.
The Lakers’ task is twofold: improve defensively and respond effectively on offense, especially from beyond the arc. However, their recent three-point shooting has been dismal, with poor performances from Russell. In their recent games, Russell has struggled, averaging just 11 points with a shooting percentage of 26% and a three-point percentage of 16%. At this crucial juncture, the Lakers need Russell to step up if they want to beat the Pelicans and secure their playoff berth.
Notably, Russell’s stellar performance in their last home game against the Pelicans proved pivotal, scoring 30 points, including 6 threes. LeBron remains confident in Russell’s abilities, stating, “When Russell plays well, we all play well. His aggression lifts us. He’ll find his rhythm, and we’re not worried.” Let’s hope Russell lives up to LeBron’s trust and expectations this time around.
