Pelicans' Anderson expects to return on this week's road trip

METAIRIE, La. - Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson says it's his ''full intention'' to play during New Orleans' upcoming three-game road trip.

Anderson has been out of the lineup for more than a month with a sprained right knee.

New Orleans begins a West Coast swing Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers, followed by games at Sacramento and Portland.

Anderson, who averages 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, has missed 18 games since injuring his knee in Miami on Feb. 21.

Anderson has been wearing a knee brace while practicing on a limited basis. He says he'll do his first full-court work Tuesday.

The Pelicans have nine regular season games left and sit 2 1/2 games behind Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.