The NBA has always been a league filled with historic rivalries and exciting matchups. One of the most engaging showdowns is between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers. This game brings together rising stars and seasoned veterans, offering fans an exciting blend of basketball skill and high-intensity competition. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers stats, comparing key performance metrics that define their battles. Whether you’re a fan looking to catch up on recent games or a stat nerd analyzing trends, this breakdown will offer insightful data to help you appreciate this matchup even more.
Overview of the New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats Rivalry
Before we explore specific stats, it’s important to understand the nature of the Pelicans-Lakers rivalry. The Pelicans, a relatively young team in NBA history, have consistently aimed to prove themselves against storied franchises like the Lakers. On the other hand, the Lakers, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, have a reputation for dominating the competition with star-studded rosters.
Key Players in this Rivalry:
- Lakers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves
- Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum
This rivalry gained extra heat when former Pelican Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers, creating a narrative that fuels fan discussions each time these two teams meet.
Head-to-Head Record: Who Has the Edge?
Historically, the Lakers have had more success compared to the Pelicans. However, recent matchups have shown that the Pelicans are no pushovers.
| Team | Total Wins | Total Losses | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 41 | 22 | 65.1% |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 22 | 41 | 34.9% |
As of the 2023 season, the Lakers hold a clear advantage in their overall matchups.
Though the Lakers lead overall, the Pelicans have managed to pull off some surprising upsets, particularly when their key players, like Zion Williamson, are healthy and playing at their best.
Recent Matchup About New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats
When comparing the New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers stats for recent games, we notice several trends that provide insight into each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Scoring Comparison Between New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats
The Pelicans and Lakers both have players capable of putting up big numbers, but they do so in different ways.
| Team | Points per Game | Top Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 112.7 | LeBron James (25.3 PPG) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 110.4 | Zion Williamson (24.8 PPG) |
The Lakers have a slight edge in scoring, thanks to the consistency of LeBron James and the offensive firepower of Anthony Davis. However, when Zion Williamson is fully healthy, the Pelicans have a dominant presence in the paint.
Field Goal and 3-Point Shooting
| Team | Field Goal % | 3-Point Shooting % |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 48.5% | 35.2% |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 46.1% | 36.4% |
The Lakers tend to shoot more efficiently overall, while the Pelicans have a slight edge in 3-point shooting accuracy. This makes sense given the Pelicans’ reliance on perimeter players like CJ McCollum to stretch the floor, while the Lakers often rely on inside scoring through LeBron and Davis.
Key Player Matchups Between New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats
LeBron James vs Zion Williamson
LeBron, one of the greatest players of all time, brings versatility, leadership, and experience to every game. Zion, on the other hand, is one of the most explosive young players in the league, known for his dominant inside game.
- LeBron James Stats (2023 season):
- Points per game: 25.3
- Assists per game: 6.8
- Rebounds per game: 7.9
- Zion Williamson Stats (2023 season):
- Points per game: 24.8
- Assists per game: 3.7
- Rebounds per game: 6.7
This matchup features two completely different styles of play, with LeBron’s all-around game and Zion’s bruising inside play. Each player plays a critical role in their team’s success.
Anthony Davis vs Jonas Valančiūnas
In the frontcourt, Anthony Davis is a dominant two-way player, while Jonas Valančiūnas provides a strong physical presence and rebounding ability for the Pelicans.
- Anthony Davis Stats (2023 season):
- Points per game: 22.9
- Rebounds per game: 12.3
- Blocks per game: 2.5
- Jonas Valančiūnas Stats (2023 season):
- Points per game: 14.1
- Rebounds per game: 10.5
- Blocks per game: 0.8
Both big men play crucial roles for their respective teams, but Davis’s shot-blocking and ability to score at all levels make him the more versatile player in this matchup. Sports Blog
Defense: Who Has the Better Stopping Power?
Defense is often where games are won or lost, and both teams have had their fair share of struggles and successes on this end of the court.
Defensive Ratings (2023 season):
- Los Angeles Lakers: 112.3 (Ranked 10th)
- New Orleans Pelicans: 111.8 (Ranked 8th)
While the Lakers are known for their offense, they also boast a solid defense, largely due to Anthony Davis’s rim protection and LeBron’s defensive IQ. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are building a reputation as a tough, gritty defensive team, ranking slightly ahead of the Lakers in defensive efficiency.
Rebounding Battle: Controlling the Glass
Winning the rebounding battle is often key to winning the game, especially when these teams meet. Both teams have strong rebounders, but let’s see who has the edge.
| Team | Rebounds per Game | Top Rebounder |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 45.1 | Anthony Davis (12.3 RPG) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 46.2 | Jonas Valančiūnas (10.5 RPG) |
The Pelicans slightly edge out the Lakers in total rebounds per game. However, with Davis anchoring the Lakers’ frontcourt, they still pose a significant threat on the boards, especially on the defensive end.
Assist and Playmaking Comparison
Playmaking is another critical component that can determine the outcome of a game. The Lakers, led by the playmaking abilities of LeBron James, have an advantage when it comes to moving the ball.
| Team | Assists per Game | Top Playmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 25.2 | LeBron James (6.8 APG) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 24.1 | CJ McCollum (5.9 APG) |
Both teams feature excellent playmakers, but LeBron’s ability to facilitate and get his teammates involved gives the Lakers an edge in this category. Click Here
New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats Breakdown: Season Comparisons
Here’s a quick overview of some additional New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers stats from the current season.
| Category | Los Angeles Lakers | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Free Throw % | 78.4% | 79.3% |
| Turnovers per Game | 14.5 | 13.6 |
| Steals per Game | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| Blocks per Game | 5.6 | 4.8 |
The teams are closely matched in these categories, though the Lakers have an advantage in blocks thanks to Anthony Davis, while the Pelicans show a slight edge in steals.
Conclusion: Who Has the Upper Hand?
Both the Pelicans and Lakers have unique strengths, making their games exciting to watch. The Lakers, with their experience and LeBron’s leadership, tend to have the upper hand in most matchups. However, the Pelicans, when healthy, have shown they can compete at the highest level. Key factors like health, particularly Zion’s availability, can often sway the outcome in the Pelicans’ favor.
FAQs: New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Stats
Q1: Who is the all-time leading scorer in the Pelicans vs Lakers matchups?
A1: LeBron James, with his longevity and consistent scoring, is the all-time leading scorer in these matchups.
Q2: How often do the Pelicans beat the Lakers?
A2: Historically, the Lakers win about 65% of the games, but recent matchups have been more competitive.
Q3: What is Zion Williamson’s average against the Lakers?
A3: Zion Williamson averages around 24.8 points per game when playing against the Lakers.
Q4: How do the Pelicans fare defensively compared to the Lakers?
A4: The Pelicans are slightly better defensively this season, ranking 8th in defensive rating compared to the Lakers’ 10th place.
Q5: What is the impact of Anthony Davis against his former team, the Pelicans?
A5: Anthony Davis typically plays at a high level against the Pelicans, averaging strong numbers in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Q6: Who are the key playmakers in these matchups?
A6: LeBron James leads the Lakers in assists, while CJ McCollum is the main playmaker for the Pelicans.
