The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on Tuesday.

The Pelicans (25-32) appear to be making one final push at the playoffs. In fact, they come into this matchup winning eight of their last 11 games in total, getting them within 3.5 games of the Memphis Grizzlies in eighth. What's even more encouraging is the fact that Memphis has the toughest schedule in the NBA while New Orleans has the easiest from here on out. Many would argue that the Pelicans have the most talented team of the bunch too, especially with Zion Williamson back and dominating. Williamson has paired beautifully with Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Derrick Favors, making this one of the most dangerous starting units in the NBA.

The Lakers (43-12) enter this matchup in the midst of a five-game winning streak and stretches like that have become common for this team all season. They actually have 19 wins in their last 24 games in total which proceeded their only poor stretch of the season. That happened to be a four-game losing streak against four of the best teams in the NBA after starting with a 24-3 record. That means if you take out that one bad week against Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Denver and Indiana, Los Angeles owns a 43-8 record. That's obviously a ridiculous mark and it has the Lakers comfortably atop the Western Conference standings.

These teams have played twice this season, with Los Angeles prevailing in both meetings. That gives the Lakers five wins in their last six matchups with the Pelicans in total.