Lakers vs. Pelicans Game Preview: On the road to All-Star break

The Los Angeles Lakers are inching closer to the All-Star break, now with just four games left on the road before being allowed time to regroup. Their first stop is in New Orleans against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, catching them on the second half of a back-to-back. The San Antonio Spurs softened them up for the Lakers, beating New Orleans by 13 Wednesday night.

The Pelicans are one of the surprising teams of the year, not because of some out-of-nowhere success they found, but because the team somehow took steps back after making the playoffs last season. New Orleans has an 18-30 record and will match their loss total from last year with seven more losses. Whether the Lakers can deliver one of those L's is another story, but the Pelicans are not playing good basketball despite shaking things up by swapping out Monty Williams for Al Gentry at head coach.

The Lakers rode a vintage night from Kobe Bryant to snap their 10-game losing streak, but relying on the Mamba draining seven threes and hitting an array of jumpers over much younger legs probably won't get it done very many times this season. The story was certainly Kobe in that victory, but D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle all also chipped in at least 15 points. Getting contributions from everyone was key for the Lakers, who need to outscore opponents since their defense is incapable of stopping a snail crossing the sidewalk.

We'll see if the Lakers can close out the last leg of the season leading into the festivities in Toronto on a high note. Enjoy the game, and the start of what could be a very important stretch of games with the trade deadline looming.

Time: 6:30 p.m. PT

TV: TNT, TWCSN