Los Angeles Lakers led by LeBron James are set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans, spearheaded by Brandon Ingram, on Thursday night. In the quarter-final, the Lakers emerged victorious against the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, while the Pelicans secured their spot in the semi-final by defeating the Sacramento Kings, led by De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
In the previous season, the Los Angeles Lakers exhibited dominance over the New Orleans Pelicans with three wins out of their four regular-season encounters. In the last 10 NBA regular season matches, both teams have shared an equal tally of five wins each.
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA In-season semi-finals will be played on Thursday night, December 7 at the Crypto.com Arena. The tip off is scheduled at 10 pm (ET).
In the US, NBA In-season semi-finals between Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans will live telecast on TNT and NBA TV.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are used to being on the NBA's biggest stages, both of those teams having won championships in the last four seasons. Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans haven't often found themselves in that spotlight.
That foursome — a pair of championship contenders, a pair of up-and-coming clubs — is probably the ideal grouping for the final four at the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament. The semifinals in Las Vegas are Thursday, with Indiana facing Milwaukee and New Orleans then taking on the Lakers.
Thursday's games count as regular season games. The championship game on Saturday does not.
There's also a big financial incentive to win in Las Vegas. By making the semifinals, all