Fresh off their respective NBA Cup games on Friday, the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans will go to battle on the latter’s home court less than 24 hours later. LA looks to complete their two-game road trip.

Start time and TV schedule

WHO: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

When: 5pm PT, November 15

Where: Smoothie King Center

Watch: Spectrum SportsNet

The Lakers visit a Pelicans team that, quite frankly, has had a nightmare start to their season. In addition to currently having the worst record in the competitive Western Conference and sitting second in the league’s bottom tier, the Pels have also been hit hard by the injury. It’s pretty much just been Brandon Ingram next to their second and third stringers.

So by default this should be a very manageable game for purple and gold to conquer. They need to take advantage of a game like this, especially since this Pelicans team only just snapped a long losing streak with a win over the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets on Friday.

This team is struggling to score the ball and ranks last in the NBA in points per game. It’s the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to strike.

The ideal scenario here is for role players like Austin Reaves, Max Christie – who got significant minutes against the Spurs – Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent to match the Pelicans’ own supporting cast. This isn’t a game where the Lakers should rely heavily on Anthony Davis and LeBron James to take them home. It will be nice to get this one done early, especially since LA will have two days off after this two-game road trip.

Now more than ever, the Lakers need to take advantage of every unhealthy opponent they face. Winning games in today’s competition isn’t easy and looking at their next few matches, the Purple and Gold have the chance to continue to stack up here and climb up the standings. It’s time to seize the moment.

Let’s see if the Lakers can do just that against the Pelicans on Saturday.

Comments and updates

• The Lakers won’t release an injury report until a few hours before Friday’s game, but are expecting Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery), Jaxson Hayes (left ankle sprain), Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness ) to stay outside.
• Rui Hachimura (sprained right ankle) was demoted to ‘out’ just before the match against Spurs. His status also remains uncertain for tomorrow’s game against the Pels.

• The same goes for the Pels, who will most likely be without Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain), Jordan Hawkins (lower back strain), Hebert Jones (right shoulder strain), CJ McCollum (right adductor strain), Dejounte Murray (left hand strain). fracture) and Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) on Saturday.
• A stat I always like to revisit every time the Lakers face the Pelicans: Anthony Davis is 11-3 against the Pelicans in his career. Do what you want with that.
• We’re live at Playback for this game, so make sure you’re there!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.