New Orleans @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2019 ) L.A. Lakers 114, New Orleans 110

Anthony Davis had a successful showing against his former team earlier this season and he looks to enjoy another one when the Los Angeles Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Davis, who was traded to the Lakers in the offseason, had 41 points and nine rebounds in his return to New Orleans on Nov. 27 as the Lakers won 114-110.

Davis was a six-time All-Star with the Pelicans but requested a trade during last season and finally had it granted in the offseason in a deal that included forward Brandon Ingram and point guard Lonzo Ball being sent to New Orleans. Davis had 26 points and 11 rebounds while LeBron James had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the Lakers posted a 117-107 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Pelicans have won a season-best four consecutive games by an average of 14.3 points, the most recent being Sunday's solid 127-112 home win over the Houston Rockets. Ball scored a season-high 27 points and knocked down a career-best seven 3-pointers and Ingram also scored 27 points in the impressive showing.

TIME: 10:30 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN, FS New Orleans, Spectrum SportsNet

ABOUT THE PELICANS (11-23): New Orleans is still waiting on rookie power forward Zion Williamson (knee) to make his season debut but the squad is playing well as it also has beaten the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers by double digits during the hot stretch. Ball also recorded 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double of the season in the win over Houston and made 11 3-pointers over the past two games. "I think he's been playing well for us," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "He played exceptionally well (against the Rockets). He's put in a lot of work on his 3-point shooting: before practice, after practice, he's spent a lot of time doing that, and you saw the results."

ABOUT THE LAKERS (27-7): Los Angeles wasn't feeling so great after Wednesday's win as a 36-point lead was reduced to seven by the Suns before the comeback attempt was distinguished. "We can't allow ourselves to fall into a trap like that," Davis said afterward. "You've got to learn how to handle success within games." James recorded his eighth triple-double of the season and 89th of his career while guard Avery Bradley scored 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting to reach double digits for the sixth time this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers won four of the past five meetings.

2. New Orleans SG E'Twaun Moore established season bests of 25 points and five 3-pointers in the win over Houston.

3. Los Angeles F Kyle Kuzma is 5-of-22 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 115, Pelicans 108