Los Angeles @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 14, 2018 ) L.A. Lakers 117, New Orleans 139

The New Orleans Pelicans look to sweep their three games in three nights ordeal and post their fourth consecutive overall win when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. New Orleans' 96-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday was a makeup of last month's postponed game that prompted a situation in which the Pelicans will play five games in six nights.

All-Star power forward Anthony Davis isn't looking fatigued and had 28 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots against the Pacers for his sixth double-double in the past seven games. The latest victory leaves the Pelicans three games clear of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference playoff competition with just 10 games remaining. The Lakers have dropped three straight games after enjoying a stretch in which they won eight of 10 games. They suffered a 110-100 loss to the Pacers on Monday in the opener of a four-game road trip that includes stops in Memphis and Detroit.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE LAKERS (31-39): Forward Kyle Kuzma had 27 points and eight rebounds in the loss to the Pacers but he is putting together a season unlike any rookie in NBA history. Kuzma needs 78 rebounds and 15 3-pointers over the final 12 games to become the first rookie in league history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 3-pointers. The first-round pick out of Utah has exceeded all expectations by averaging 15.6 points (he has 1,059) and 6.2 rebounds and has established himself as a key figure in the team's rebuilding project.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (42-30): Davis dominated the Lakers in two meetings earlier this season by averaging 34.5 points on 24-of-36 shooting, 16 rebounds, three steals and 2.5 blocked shots. Combo guard Jrue Holiday (illness) was back in the lineup versus the Pacers and had 10 points and five assists after missing his first game of the season one night earlier. "First game back and I felt a little tired, a little drained," Holiday told reporters afterward while revealing he needed an IV at halftime, "but it doesn't really matter at this point in the season."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pelicans averaged 129 points while winning this season's first two meetings against the Lakers.

2. Los Angeles SF Brandon Ingram (groin) was ruled out Wednesday and will miss his 10th straight game.

3. New Orleans SG E'Twaun Moore scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting against Indiana for his best effort since scoring 26 against Oklahoma City on Feb. 2.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 112, Lakers 108