The New Orleans Pelicans (4-6) stop by Staples Center for a 10 p.m. ET game against the Los Angeles Lakers (10-3) Friday. Below, we analyze the Pelicans-Lakers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
New Orleans has lost four straight games, three of which were by five or fewer points with the latest being a 111-106 loss Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers in this same building.
The main factor in the Pelicans’ loss was Los Angeles making 18 3-pointers compared to just 10 made threes for New Orleans. The Pelicans were very shorthanded as PG Lonzo Ball was sidelined with a knee injury and PF Zion Williamson had to sit in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols after an inconclusive test.
The Lakers have cruised to a four-game win streak that featured back-to-back double-digit victories at the Houston Rockets, which were James Harden’s final two games in a Rockets uniform. The 2020-21 Lakers have made their bones on the defensive end of the floor thus far, ranking first in defensive rating and third in opponent’s field-goal shooting.
Last year was Lakers PF Anthony Davis’ first in Los Angeles after playing the first seven years of his career for the Pelicans. Los Angeles was 4-0 last season vs. New Orleans (2-1-1 against the spread) and AD averaged 36 points and 12 rebounds in his three games against his former team.
Pelicans at Lakers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Pelicans +375 (bet $100 to win $375) | Lakers -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pelicans +10.5 (-115) | Lakers -10.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Pelicans at Lakers: Key Injuries
Pelicans
- PG Eric Bledsoe (eye) questionable
- PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
Lakers
- PF Anthony Davis (back) questionable
- SG LeBron James (ankle) questionable
- SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) probable
- SG Wesley Matthews (Achilles) questionable
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Pelicans at Lakers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Lakers 121, Pelicans 103
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE because it’s too expensive to bet the Lakers only to win.
It’s a nationally televised game and LeBron looks locked in already this season and is honing in on GOAT-like achievements and successful title defenses. I like the Lakers to beat the brakes off of the Pelicans Friday and the only real question is by how much.
Against the spread (ATS)
The major pro in taking the Pelicans plus the points here is their ability to backdoor cover. In Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, New Orleans outscored Los Angeles 63-50 in the second half to sneak in the backdoor and cover. Second-year Pelicans PG Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a career-high 37 points while filling in for the injured Ball.
The market movement is what confirms LAKERS -10.5 (-105) for 1 unit as a bet for me. According to Pregame.com, close to 70% of the money is coming in on the Pelicans yet the line has moved up from Lakers laying 8.5 on the opener. That tells me the House wants you to take New Orleans plus the points.
Go in the opposite direction and TAKE LAKERS -10.5 (-105).
Over/Under (O/U)
I only lean OVER 219.5 (-115) for a quarter-unit because the market is hammering the Over and it seems too obvious to bet Over.
LeBron on national TV, plus AD vs. his old team, plus Pelicans SF Brandon Ingram balling out to start the year, plus Zion returning to the lineup equals an Over for me.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Lonzo Ball remains out with bilateral knee tendinopathy (Lonzo Wire)
- Opponents have had a tough time shooting over LeBron James this season (LeBron Wire)
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