Lakers-Pelicans showdown Sunday: Play-in preview matchup?

The group stood as one, chants of “De-fense … De-fense … De-fense” rising inside Smoothie King Middle, the followers urging the New Orleans Pelicans to make one final stand towards the San Antonio Spurs.

When the Pelicans pressured San Antonio’s Dejounte Murray right into a missed shot late within the fourth quarter of a tense two-point recreation, the followers erupted as a result of they knew New Orleans had one other alternative. However when rookie guard Jose Alvarado missed a three-pointer, which then led to layup for San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson, the followers sighed.

Because the Pelicans walked off the courtroom, a tricky defeat in hand, one fan may very well be heard saying, “That’s all proper. We bought the King, LeBron [James] coming to city tomorrow. Let’s get these Lakers.”

The fan was proper. It was time for the Pelicans to maneuver on. The Lakers are up subsequent Sunday and positioning for the NBA’s play-in event is at stake when the 2 groups hyperlink up for an necessary Western Convention matchup.

The Pelicans’ 107-103 loss to the Spurs meant that the Lakers are at present the ninth seed within the West, half a recreation above Tenth-seeded New Orleans. San Antonio is in eleventh place after its third consecutive victory, one recreation behind the Pelicans.

“This recreation towards the Lakers goes to be very like right this moment,” New Orleans coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned. “We’re going to play towards expertise. San Antonio is without doubt one of the pillars when it comes to organizations, when it comes to tradition and successful and enjoying a sure type. We bought the Lakers subsequent, and LeBron is identical method. He’s received at each stage you can win at. The remainder of these guys observe his lead and it’s going to be a recreation that’s going to be difficult and a take a look at for us, however we’re all excited to be part of video games like this.”

For 22 consecutive years, Gregg Popovich was the one fixed behind the Spurs reaching the NBA playoffs, his astute steering making him the all-time winningest coach in historical past.

However San Antonio, which has received 5 titles underneath Popovich, missed the playoffs the final two seasons, and through that point, the league added the wrinkle of a play-in event.

“If I cherished it or hated it, it wouldn’t matter,” Popovich mentioned in regards to the play-in video games. “They don’t care. It’s there and because it’s there, you try to get it.”

Lots of the followers have embraced the play-in video games, maintaining then engaged late within the season, their hopes alive that their crew could make the event, which determines the final two playoff qualifiers.

That, Popovich mentioned, is sweet for the well being of the NBA.

“I believe it’s fairly logical that the extra basketball that followers can see the extra they’ll prefer it,” Popovich mentioned. “There are stakes concerned. Followers are going to take pleasure in it, for positive. So, in that regard, I believe it’s an actual constructive with none doubt. And gamers would fairly get in than not. So, they’re fired as much as go. It really works out.”

James sat out the Lakers’ earlier recreation due to left knee soreness and is listed as questionable for the sport Sunday. James may have had six days off to relaxation the knee. Dwight Howard is listed as questionable (hip soreness) and Talen Horton-Tucker (left ankle sprain) is listed as possible.

The Pelicans record Brandon Ingram (proper hamstring soreness) as questionable, however he’s anticipated to play after sitting out the loss Saturday.

If he does, it’ll give the Pelicans one other weapon after they face the Lakers.

“I’ve needed to play in that play-in a few occasions. I imply, it’s simply higher once you simply make the playoffs,” mentioned Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, who had 32 factors towards the Spurs. “Then you definitely don’t must play as many video games. You sort of undergo what we’ve to undergo proper now.

“But it surely’s all part of the method and I believe the followers take pleasure in it. I believe it’s aggressive. A few of these video games matter generally, whereas in previous years they didn’t matter as a lot. So, from a aggressive standpoint, I believe it will increase the extent of play and the which means a few of these video games have down the stretch.”

The Pelicans defeated the Lakers of their earlier assembly, beating them by 28 at Crypto.com Area. They’ll meet once more Friday in L.A. to complete the three-game season sequence.

Inexperienced says he is aware of the importance for each groups.

“We bought to undergo these kind of video games,” he mentioned. “These video games construct momentum for what’s subsequent. Now it seems that the Lakers are subsequent for us.”

UP NEXT

AT NEW ORLEANS

When: 4 p.m., Sunday

On the air: TV: Spectrum SportsNet; Radio: 710, 1330

Replace: The Pelicans (31-43) received the primary assembly towards the Lakers (31-42) this season, 123-95 on Feb. 27. All 5 New Orleans starters, together with Brandon Ingram, scored in double figures as did one reserve. The Lakers are 11-24 on the street this season; solely seven groups have received fewer video games.