LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will try to extend their current win streak to five on Friday night at the Staples Center against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on ESPN.
The Lakers (10-3) return home after a perfect 3-0 road trip, and have been playing on another level recently, winning their last three games by an average of 21.3 points per game. To be fair, two of those wins came against an extremely disinterested James Harden prior to his blockbuster trade. The Pelicans (4-6) have lost four straight, but Zion Williamson will be returning to the lineup on Friday. Lonzo Ball is still out with bilateral knee tendinopathy.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Lakers -10.5
- Money line: Lakers -500 / Pelicans +375
- Over-under: 219.5
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
This line has moved quite a bit already after opening at Lakers -8.5, which makes it tempting to side with the public and take the Pelicans here – according to Action Network’s public betting info, 65 percent of bets are on New Orleans. The Pelicans have been competitive in each of their last four games during their slide, losing by an average of four points per game, but the Pels have a bottom-10 offense and are facing a Lakers team that ranks No. 1 in the league in defensive efficiency, first in defensive rating, and third in points allowed.
Furthermore, it’s evident from LeBron’s taunting of the Rockets that the champs are enjoying beating up on teams right now, and they’ve been on quite a roll. I’m backing the Lakers until they fail to cover. Take Los Angeles -10.5, and bet on the Lakers to hold the Pelicans under 100, for under 219.5.
Prediction: Lakers 117, Pelicans 98
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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