Can the Los Angeles Lakers Outpace the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center?

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain their recent momentum. The Lakers' performance in their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 13 was nothing short of impressive, with a 123-120 victory that showcased their offensive prowess and resilience under pressure.

The Lakers demonstrated a balanced attack with an effective field goal percentage of 60 percent and a true shooting percentage of 64 percent. Their ability to score in transition was evident as they converted 67 percent of fast break opportunities into points. Moreover, they dominated inside, scoring 54 points in the paint while maintaining a two-point shooting percentage of 66 percent.

However, it wasn't just about scoring; defense played a crucial role too. The defensive rating stood at an acceptable level despite allowing 120 points. This indicates that while there's room for improvement defensively, LAL's offense is potent enough to outscore opponents even when defensive lapses occur.

In contrast, NOP has shown vulnerabilities that LAL could exploit. In previous matchups against other teams like GSW and MIN, NOP struggled with turnovers and had difficulty containing high-powered offenses.

Looking ahead to April 16th's clash at Smoothie King Center, it's essential for LAL to assert dominance early on both ends of the court. Capitalizing on fast break opportunities will be key – something they've proven capable of doing effectively.

The Pelicans will not make it easy though; they have home-court advantage and will look to disrupt LAL’s rhythm from deep and within the paint where they've been most effective recently.

Lakers fans should expect an intense battle but can take solace in knowing that their team has shown tenacity when leading or trailing close games this season – a testament to their competitive spirit and desire for victory.

The upcoming game is scheduled for April 16th at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans with tip-off set for 4:30 PM local time (7:30 PM Eastern Time). Fans won't want to miss this exciting matchup which can be watched live on TNT or truTV.