New Orleans @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 28, 2018 ) L.A. Clippers 112, New Orleans 103

The last time the New Orleans Pelicans faced the Los Angeles Clippers they had the look of a defeated team, having just lost star forward DeMarcus Cousins for the season and beginning a stretch in which they would lose five of six games. The Pelicans head to Los Angeles for Tuesday's rematch under very different circumstances and hope to continue their longest winning streak in over seven years.

Their eight-game run has vaulted Alvin Gentry's team into a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference entering Monday. "I just think the guys are playing with a lot of confidence. They're playing for each other," Gentry told reporters after a 126-109 win in Dallas on Sunday. "We're grinding and scrapping and doing the things you have to to try and win, especially when you're in the West." The Clippers are in ninth place in the West but only two games behind New Orleans as their offense continues to click. Austin Rivers scored 27 points in a 123-120 win over Brooklyn on Sunday, the sixth time in the last seven games that Los Angeles has produced at least 122 points.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (36-26): While Anthony Davis has thrust himself into the MVP debate with a torrid stretch, Jrue Holiday's improved play has been just as important during New Orleans' surge. "To me, Jrue is probably if not the best two-way player we have in our game," teammate Rajon Rondo told the media. "One through four, he can check those guys. I think people are starting to see what he's doing just because of this win streak, but he's been doing it his whole career." Holiday scored 30 points at Dallas and is averaging 25.9 points on 55 percent shooting during the winning streak.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (34-28): Rivers scored 14 of his 27 points in a wild fourth quarter against the Nets and made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the waning moments as Los Angeles rallied from eight points down in the last three minutes. "It just seemed like we had a lot of moments where we could have just given up in that game," Rivers said. Tobias Harris added 26 points and he is averaging 19 points on 48.3 percent shooting in 12 games since being traded from Detroit.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis collected a double-double in each game of the winning streak and averages 34.8 points and 15.2 rebounds since the All-Star break.

2. Clippers SG Lou Williams scored 21 points in back-to-back games despite shooting 1-of-12 from 3-point range in that span.

3. Los Angeles claimed each of the last eight matchups against New Orleans at home.

PREDICTION: Clippers 119, Pelicans 117