Lakers vs. Pelicans preview: Anthony Davis returns in time to peck the Lakers

This season is starting to get ugly for the Los Angeles Lakers, losing their last five games and seven of their last eight, their lone win coming over the Orlando Magic. Things don't look great for the Lakers to close out the month either, with their last five games of the month coming against  the Pelicans, Spurs, Rockets, Wizards, and Bulls, with the Pelicans the only non-contender of that bunch.

Many have spent this season raving about Anthony Davis as the future of the league, and watching his performances against the Lakers this season it's not hard to see why, as he averaged 24 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, on a a scintillating 74.1 percent from the field; which are all above his season averages, excepting the rebounds. Davis missed the Pelicans' last three games with a toe injury, but has been cleared to return against the Lakers. To add to their injury woes, the Pelicans gifted but underrated point guard Jrue Holiday will likely miss the contest. Holiday is averaging 19.5 points on 50 percent shooting in the Pelicans two wins against Los Angeles; but the UCLA Bruins product has missed the Pelicans last four games with an ankle injury.

The Lakers may have their best chance left to avoid 10 straight losses to end January over this bird with clipped wings, but will still need to play their best ball to get it. Kobe Bryant and Ronnie Price might be back in the starting lineup, Nick Young is coming off of a game in which he exploded for 16 straight points in the fourth quarter to get the Lakers within sniffing distance of what would have been an unearned win in Phoenix, but the Lakers will need to do better work on the defensive end of the floor to have a chance. The purple and gold have been pitiful on that end this season, but if they are going to stop any team from scoring, a Pelicans team missing one of it's best players would seem to be as good of a shot as any.

Time: 5:00 pm

Station: TWCSN