The last time the Lakers and Pelicans met, it was an unmitigated beatdown. The Lakers, still reeling from the latest Anthony Davis injury, looked lifeless, hopeless and ready to give up. The Pelicans were riding the wave of acquiring CJ McCollum and were amidst a four-game win streak.
But the two sides that will meet on Sunday are quite different in the short span between meetings. The Lakers have turned a corner of sorts in the last week and, despite being 2-2 in their last four games, feel like progress has been made. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have cooled of late, sporting a 3-6 record over their last nine games.