LeBron James and Anthony Davis could return against Pelicans
The Lakers are in desperate need of a boost and they might just get it, as LeBron James and Anthony Davis may be available when they face the Pelicans.
If the Lakers are to make the playoffs this year, it will most certainly come down to the availability of players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Thankfully one of them is about to return.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis could return on Friday
Though LeBron James and Anthony Davis were ruled out for Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, they could both be back in the lineup on Friday when the 10th placed Lakers play host to the 9th placed New Orleans Pelicans. According to reports, Davis will be team assuming he suffers no setbacks with his injured foot while James will more than likely be a game time decision as he battles to recover from an ankle injury that saw him leave the team early in an effort to expedite his rehabilitation.
James of course, has missed two of the Lakers' last three games, including their loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Having described his ankle as 'horrible,' all eyes are now on the Lakers' talisman as he hopes to be ready for their date with the Pelicans. Davis on the other hand hasn't played for the Lakers since suffering a mid-foot sprain back on February 16th in what was Los Angeles' last game before the All-Star break. In total the big man has played just 37 games this season. Needless to say his absence along with James' recent injury concerns have not helped the Lakers who are currently 31-44, with a half-game lead on the San Antonio Spurs for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. They face a New Orleans team that is 33-43 and has won three of its last four games.
The Lakers need a boost right now
Having lost to the Mavericks 128-110, the Lakers are not in good shape. Indeed, they trailed Dallas by as many as 37 points in the third quarter, on their way to what was their fourth loss in five games and 16th in the last 21. If there was a time to turn things around, its right here and now. Of course that will undoubtedly start with the availability of their two big men. Should James and Davis be available tomorrow, they will have six games to find cohesion before its time for the play-in.
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After they face the Pelicans, the Lakers will host Denver, travel to red hot Phoenix, visit Golden State, entertain Oklahoma City (on the second night of a back-to-back), and then visit Denver. On the other side of the divide, the Spurs, will host the Blazers twice, before visiting Denver and Minnesota, hosting Golden State and traveling to Dallas. It should be said that San Antonio hold the tiebreaker due to their better record against Western Conference teams, which is to say its now or never for James, Davis and co.