The Pelicans have won all 3 matchups with the Kings so far this season but sit 2 games behind them in the league standings. What a season it has been, with just 18 games left a top 5 draft pick is within grasp. One win in their last 9 has put the Pels just 3.5 games ahead of Minnesota and a bottom 5 record. This will be the easiest game for the Pelicans in awhile, as 5 of their next 6 opponents are playoff teams.
The Pelicans have been giving some of their non-regulars a lot of looks recently: Omer Asik is listed as a probable starter despite the fact that he has played just 6 minutes in the last 2 games, and Luke Babbitt has seen 35+ minutes in his previous 2 games as well as his first start since November.