The New Orleans Pelicans (29-49) host the Los Angeles Lakers (16-62) tonight at the Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm CT (UTC -5) and can be seen on Fox Sports New Orleans and heard on the Pelicans Radio Network, 99.5 FM locally.

Any game can be fun, but the records of the teams will indicate just what kind of basketball will be played tonight. So, most people are setting that aside and focusing on the fact that this is Kobe Bryant’s last appearance in New Orleans before his retirement. It’s the end of an era of basketball, and that is as good a reason as any to enjoy a night out.

The Pelicans, injury disasters and all, have a fighting chance against the mostly hapless Lakers. The Lakers have some nice young talent, but their cohesion has been shattered, and there was not much there to begin with. The Lakers have been in transition, to put it as gently as possible, and have an eye planted firmly on the future. That said, they are fully capable of beating the Pelicans, who have shown no sign of giving up on racking up wins.

The song remains the same, and it’s a swan song for this season and for Kobe. The is the last back-to-back for the Pelicans, both home, then the last home game Monday, and the last game of the season Wednesday. Just enjoy them.