The availability of key New Orleans Pelicans’ players is in the spotlight Friday as they remain west for a bout with the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA’s hottest teams. The 4-6 Pelicans were without Zion Williamson in their most recent game, but he’s been cleared to return just as Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe battle their own injuries.

Meanwhile it’s smooth sailing in La La Land as the Lakers are riding a four-game win streak and own the West’s top point-differential at +10.5. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. EST.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

If Ball and Bledsoe, two starters, are out for New Orleans they better hope Zion can go off. Los Angeles has won six straight against New Orleans and are scoring 120 points a game over their last 10 meetings. The Lakers are averaging the fifth-most points per game at home at 117.8 too.

Another key that points will be easy to come by — aside from the fact overs are 8-3 in L.A.’s last 11 games and 5-0 in New Orleans’ last five — is team turnovers. Both teams are averaging 14.9 turnovers per game, good for fifth in the NBA. If this holds true Friday, fastbreak points could be aplenty — especially with the Lakers ranking first in the NBA in fastbreak efficiency.

New Orleans Pelicans

Four straight losses have taken the sails out of some elevated expectations in New Orleans. The Pelicans sit 13th in the West, which isn’t ideal in a 72-game season. Then again, three of those four losses have been by five or fewer points and none by double-digits.

New Orleans might have a new answer on offence too, if Zion Williamson and others are to miss more time. Nickeil Alexander-Walker dropped a career-high 37 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday’s loss at the Clippers. It was the first game where Williamson or Brandon Ingram didn’t lead the Pelicans in points. And speaking of Ingram, he’s averaging career-high in points (23.8), rebounds (7), and assists (5.5) per game.

Los Angeles Lakers

A 7-0 start on the road has been the main reason why the Lakers sit in first in the West, it’s now a matter of improving their 3-3 record at home. Step one is playing better defence. On the road Los Angeles gives up 99.6 points, first in the NBA. At home that goes up to 111.7, ranking 18th. On the road L.A. holds opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage at 41.9 per cent. At home, that number rises to 46 per cent, tied for 15th.

Now with three-straight road wins by 17 or more points, Frank Vogel’s squad has a prime opportunity to get their game right at Staples Centre.

Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Lakers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

Injuries

New Orleans

James Johnson (PF)

Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21

Naji Marshall (PF)

Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Wes Iwundu (SF)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21

Brandon Ingram (SF)

out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Injuries

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
James Johnson (PF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 15 / 05 / 21	0-2	2-0	+ -
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF)	Prob Fri	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	out for season	Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	out for season	Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C)	out for season	Toe - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21	4-3	2-5	+ -
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Tues	Toe - 29 / 04 / 21	8-3	3-8	+ -
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Wed	Toe - 25 / 04 / 21	8-4	3-9	+ -
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21	9-4	4-9	+ -
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.