Pelicans-Lakers Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON

(AP) -- While they haven't fared well in recent matchups with playoff-contending teams, the New Orleans Pelicans are capitalizing on an advantageous part of their schedule.

With Ryan Anderson's return imminent, the Pelicans seek a third straight victory as they try to sweep the season series from the lowly Los Angeles Lakers in the opener to a three-game road trip Wednesday night.

New Orleans (39-34) lost to three of the Western Conference's top five teams as part of a season high-tying four-game losing streak before bouncing back with two wins by a combined 36 points against easier competition.

They took a 102-88 victory over Sacramento on Friday, and Anthony Davis scored 28 points in a 110-88 win against Minnesota on Sunday. The Pelicans shot 57.3 percent and limited the Timberwolves to 2-of-12 shooting from 3-point range.

"This is a huge three games and that's why we wanted to play well tonight - to give us that confidence going into the road trip and try to get all three," Davis said. "We know where we are."

New Orleans will face two teams that are eliminated from the playoff race on its trip, the Lakers (20-53) and the Kings. Taking advantage of those matchups is crucial as they try to make up a 2 1/2-game deficit on eighth-place Oklahoma City.

The Thunder's next four games are against teams ahead of them in the conference.

The Pelicans have gone 11-7 since Anderson has been sidelined with a sprain knee. Anderson, who averages 14.6 points, says it's his "full intention" to return sometime on the trip.

"Ryan's a really good player in shooting, rebounding and spacing the floor. All that stuff helps a number of guys on our team," coach Monty Williams said.

The Pelicans haven't needed too much assistance from Anderson in this season's three matchups with the Lakers as he's averaged 11.3 points. Their four-game winning streak over Los Angeles is easily their longest win streak in the series.

Anderson had six points on 2-of-7 shooting in the most recent meeting, a 96-80 home win Jan. 21. Davis had 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting and has converted at 67.7 percent during the win streak against the Lakers.

Los Angeles is returning home after ending its longest road trip of the season with a thrilling 113-111 overtime victory against Philadelphia. Jordan Clarkson, who provided the winning layup with 0.7 seconds left, had 26 points and a career-best 11 assists.

"He's not afraid of the moment," coach Byron Scott said. "You've got to like to that."

Clarkson averaged 21.6 points on 51.3 percent shooting, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds during the 2-3 trek. The Lakers' other win on the trip came against last-place Minnesota.

Jeremy Lin missed the last two games with an illness and his status is unclear. He was averaging 21.3 points and shooting 50.0 percent in the four contests before getting sick.