PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET to face a Pelicans squad desperately searching for answers. Los Angeles enters at 8-4, fifth in the Western Conference, fresh off a lopsided 121-92 loss to Oklahoma City , while New Orleans sits near the bottom at 2-9 and has dropped three of their last five games. The Lakers excel at efficiently attacking the rim and drawing fouls, ranking second in both categories , qualities that should pose real problems for a Pelicans defense that ranks 28th against rim attacks. Meanwhile, New Orleans boasts elite offensive rebounding at 32.8 percent, leading the league , giving them a potential edge in creating second-chance opportunities. The Pelicans struggle with three-point shooting efficiency and tempo, ranking 28th in both categories , which could hurt their chances against a Lakers team showing defensive versatility. Los Angeles remains without LeBron James due to sciatica , yet their elite perimeter defense limits quality three-point looks, ranking fifth in that metric. Los Angeles has dominated the head-to-head matchup with a 9-1 record in their last ten meetings , establishing clear familiarity and confidence in this rivalry. While the visitors enter in noticeably better form, the Pelicans playing at home could still deliver unexpected intrigue in what shapes up as a compelling Western Conference battle.