Lakers vs Pelicans: Three keys to victory for Los Angeles

Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Tonight’s game featuring the Lakers vs Pelicans will be very telling for Los Angeles.

Sure, you could argue that the Lakers are in a tough spot right now. Still without D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles got its ninth win of the season over Atlanta in their last game.

Coming back to New Orleans, Los Angeles must recognize that the Pelicans have changed. Since their last meeting, New Orleans has manged to gain both confidence and momentum after a sluggish start.

Now at 6-12, the Pelicans can improve to .500 at home with a win, while the Lakers face a 3-5 road hole.

When they last played, the Lakers won by all measures of the game. Dominating a team that had high expectations at one point, they walked away with a 27-point win.

Chances are that tonight’s game won’t be that distant, but that’s a good thing. Los Angeles needs to start winning close games to be effective in the long run.

Making a playoff run starts small, but in the big picture, producing in crunch time is a must.

Getting their tenth win would be the next step in that process.

That in mind, here’s three keys to victory for the Los Angeles Lakers against New Orleans.