The Los Angeles Lakers (25-28) and New Orleans Pelicans (26-27) meet Saturday at Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers failed to cover the spread as 2.5-point favorites Thursday in a 112-111 road win against the Indiana Pacers. C Anthony Davis finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs, as Los Angeles came back from a 14-point 4th-quarter deficit. The Lakers are 4-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last 4 games after failing to cover in their previous contest.
The Pelicans failed to cover as 4.5-point underdogs Thursday in a 111-106 road loss against the Dallas Mavericks. F Brandon Ingram scored a team-high 26 points as New Orleans lost its 10th straight game. The Pelicans are 7-3 ATS vs. the Lakers in their last 10 meetings in New Orleans.
This is the 2nd meeting between the Lakers and Pelicans this season. In the 1st meeting on Nov. 2, the Lakers covered as 2.5-point home underdogs in a 120-117 overtime win.
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Lakers at Pelicans odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:56 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Pelicans -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +1.5 (-108) | Pelicans -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Pelicans key injuries
Lakers
- C Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F LeBron James (ankle) questionable
- G Austin Reaves (hamstring) out
- G Russell Westbrook (non-COVID illness) questionable
Pelicans
- G Dyson Daniels (ankle) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 116, Lakers 107
Moneyline
PASS.
The Pelicans (-125) should win, but there is no need to pay the extra juice on the moneyline when New Orleans would likely cover the short spread with a victory. Lay the points with the Pelicans or bet the total instead.
Against the spread
BET PELICANS -1.5 (-112).
The Lakers may be due for a letdown after upsetting the New York Knicks as 2-point underdogs Tuesday with a 129-123 overtime win at Madison Square Garden, followed by a 4th-quarter double-digit comeback win at the Pacers.
Ingram will be extra motivated to help the Pelicans end their 10-game skid vs. his former team Saturday and is coming off his best performance since returning from a toe injury in January. New Orleans should be able to take advantage of a Lakers team that will be looking ahead to F LeBron James breaking the all-time scoring record at Crypto.com Arena in 1 of Los Angeles’ next 2 games. Lay the points with the more focused team.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 232.5 (-110).
The Under is 4-0 in Los Angeles’ last 4 games vs. teams with a losing record and 6-1 in the Lakers’ last 7 after a day of rest. These teams typically play low-scoring games against each other, with the Under hitting in 4 of the last 5, and Saturday’s meeting should be another slow-paced matchup as New Orleans tightens up defensively in an attempt to end its losing streak.
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