Los Angeles @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 21, 2018 ) New Orleans 104, L.A. Lakers 112

The Anthony Davis saga could take another twist when the New Orleans Pelicans host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Talks involving Davis going to the Lakers reached a crescendo prior to the Feb. 14 trade deadline but no deal was made, and the oft-injured superstar power forward may not play Saturday after recording 15 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes of Friday's 126-111 loss at Indiana.

“You will see a reduction in Anthony's minutes,” Pelicans general manager Danny Ferry told reporters about Davis, who left the Feb. 14 victory over Oklahoma City with a shoulder injury and played only five minutes in the All-Star Game. “League rules made it clear Anthony has to play. As we've done previously, we will continue to follow their lead but also be focused on the future of the team." The Lakers' LeBron James, who appeared to make a mockery of the NBA's tampering rules with his courting of Davis to join his team, is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004-05 - his second season. The Lakers trail the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers by three games for the final Western Conference playoff spot after rallying from a 19-point deficit to defeat Houston 111-106 on Thursday with James recording 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. "He's had a more serious look to his face," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters about James. "He recognizes where we are at and the sense of urgency. He was huge (Thursday) but he's always great."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE LAKERS (29-29): James (26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists) is averaging 24 points, 10.8 boards and 10.2 assists in six games since missing 17 because of a groin injury. Kyle Kuzma (19.1 points) scored 18 versus Houston after being named MVP of the Rising Stars game on All-Star weekend while Brandon Ingram (17.2) came out of the break strong with 27 points and a season-high 13 rebounds Thursday. Reggie Bullock scored 14 points against Houston in his third game with Los Angeles after being acquired from Detroit, giving him 29 in the last two contests.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (26-34): Jrue Holiday (20.9 points) scored 14 points Friday - the third time in the last four games he's been held below his average - and is 11-for-47 from 3-point range in eight February games. Elfrid Payton (10.1 points) returned to the lineup Friday after missing nine contests with an ankle injury and contributed 15 points, four assists and two blocks in 28 minutes. Cheick Diallo (4.7 points) erupted for 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds versus Indiana after scoring a total of 12 in his previous five games, and has seven double-figure games this season - four in February.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PF Mike Muscala (7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 22.0 minutes per game) could return to the lineup after missing the last two contests with an ankle injury.

2. New Orleans SF Darius Miller (8.0 points) missed Friday's game with an ankle injury and is day-to-day.

3. Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak in the series by winning the first of four meetings this season 112-104 on Dec. 21 behind 22 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds from James. The third encounter is Wednesday at Staples Center.

PREDICTION: Lakers 115, Pelicans 112