Tuesday night, the LA Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans will square off in a game that could have major repercussions for their respective Western Conference playoff races. Fans of both teams should make sure to tune in for this must-watch battle; make sure not to miss it!

Los Angeles is 3.5-point favorites to win at Staples Center. The Lakers have won four of their last ten games and hope to get back on track after the trade deadline.

LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers fans should get a taste of life in New Orleans during Saturday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. This rivalry has been a topic of conversation since the start of the season, and LeBron James has cemented himself as one of NBA's premier players, helping the Lakers to a fourth-place standing.

James has been out for the past three games, yet the team has still managed to go 4-3 without him. They won all three against potential playoff teams to move up to 33-35 with a three-way tie for ninth seed and are only 2.5 games behind fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

James has been out of action for more than a week now, but it does not appear he will be sidelined until after the first half of the season. The 19x All-Star could return during April depending on his reevaluation results next week.

Despite James' absence, the Lakers were able to secure victory in their opening game against the Pelicans 120-102. This victory marks their first back-to-back wins on homecourt this season.

Although the Lakers couldn't capitalize on their lead, it was still an impressive victory over the Pelicans. This marked their first win since trading D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to open up a window at the trade deadline.

On the court together, it was easy to see how these guys would get along. Beasley and Vanderbilt could dribble into and out of the paint with ease, while Russell ran the ball for lobs with ease.

However, while these players may have the talent to play well together on the court, it's essential that they comprehend their roles on the team and can do so with assurance.

For the Pelicans this season, they've had to overcome many obstacles. From injuries and an intense schedule to dealing with the loss of their star player Anthony Davis at the trade deadline, they have had their hands full this season.

Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball's first two seasons with the Lakers gave him ample opportunities to develop his game and push himself into the starting lineup. Unfortunately, his jump shot struggled, leading to declining shooting percentages. Furthermore, Alvin Gentry's offense moved at a slower tempo which required Lonzo Ball to adjust accordingly.

Lonzo Ball was sent to New Orleans along with Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart in the Anthony Davis trade, needing a fresh start. To prove himself worthy of playing in the NBA, Ball has had to prove himself capable. According to NBA Advanced Stats, he's currently averaging 14.2 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting an impressive 42 percent from field.

Furthermore, he is averaging 2.5 blocks per game and has recorded seven steals in his last 14 games - making him an invaluable asset to the Pelicans long term as Zion Williamson assumes more responsibility as their franchise player. These numbers should make him a valuable addition to their lineup in the near future.

Though it's uncertain how Ball will be utilized with Williamson in the future, it seems safe to assume he'll continue in his point guard role for now. His basketball IQ and defensive prowess make him ideal for this type of role.

His shot is streaky and he lacks the power to threaten defenses, but Lonzo Ball still has time to develop in New Orleans. His rookie deal expires in a year, so the Pelicans should make a decision regarding his future with them before then.

Rumors swirling around the NBA suggest that Ball could leave New Orleans this summer to find a home elsewhere. His market value being estimated at $100 million, it's easy to understand why teams would want to sign him in an agreement.

There's a strong likelihood the Pelicans won't extend Ball's contract due to his age and contract status. Furthermore, there remains much uncertainty surrounding Alvin Gentry's future as head coach of the team. But if Ball can continue improving in New Orleans, he could become an influential force in the NBA for years to come.

Brandon Ingram

Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans have had an intense rivalry for years, building into one of sports' great rivalries. Each team boasts several outstanding players who have put on impressive performances against one another, so this year both teams hope to finally get their revenge against each other.

Los Angeles is currently situated at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while rival New Orleans is just one game back from sixth seed and has been riding high under Stan Van Gundy's leadership. If the Pelicans can secure victory against Oklahoma City on Saturday night, it will give them momentum in the Western Conference and make it more difficult for their rivals to catch them.

This game is of paramount importance for the Pelicans as it could be their last opportunity to win at home this season and they must ensure they take advantage of it. With a win, they will also secure a playoff spot for 2019-20.

Brandon Ingram has been an invaluable player for the Pelicans this season and one of their best performers. A big man with great scoring prowess, Ingram also displays excellent defensive capabilities.

Ingram is an incredibly gifted player, boasting the unique ability to create his own shot. He has a bright future in the NBA and already enjoys a prestigious status among fans.

He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016 draft and has enjoyed a successful start to his career with them. Through his game development and impressive skillsets, it's easy to see why he was selected in the first round.

At some point in his career, Ingram faced many hardships; but none quite compare to what happened in November when he suffered an injury which kept him sidelined for over two months. It took him some time to recover from this setback.

Anthony Davis

The rivalry between the Lakers and Pelicans is an intriguing one. These teams have met 19 times, with the Pelicans winning most of those games. This will be their fourth meeting this season.

It will be the first time both teams have met on the road, likely continuing a fierce rivalry.

Anthony Davis was one of the best players on the court during this game, finishing with a franchise-high 59 points and 20 rebounds. Additionally, he boasted an impressive 71 efficiency rating - his highest mark ever!

He had an impressive performance against the Pelicans, helping the Lakers come from behind and win 123-108. This game was critical for them this season after their loss to the Knicks; they needed this win to get back on track and put themselves back on top of things.

In this game, the Lakers put on an impressive show with their new starters. D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt all contributed significant minutes in the paint. With these fresh faces alongside veteran players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, these lakers were able to pull away with victory in this contest.

It was an ideal chance for the team to showcase its potential with Anthony Davis playing most of the game. Although he only had seven shots, he still managed to contribute nine rebounds and four blocks - a game-high total.

Anthony Davis can be quite vocal when on court, but despite this he managed to block out all other noise by focusing solely on his performance.

As a result, he made history by becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record over 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks - his second game of over 40 points this season.

He has also managed to block multiple shots in 10 straight games, averaging 24.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 2.8 swats per contest - an incredible statistic for someone only 6 feet tall!