The New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers duke it out at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in terrible form so far this season as they’ve lost 17 of their first 20 games. They will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the Warriors in a 104-96 loss last night. Zion Williamson led the team with 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists on eight of 16 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 21 points with seven rebounds while Jeremiah Fears chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 37 percent from the field and seven of 30 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and scored just 38 points in the first half. However, they showed some fight to hang in the contest until the Warriors went on a crucial 12-0 run late in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form to start the season as they’ve won 14 of their first 18 games. They will be eager to build on their current six-game win streak after blowing past the Mavericks in a 129-119 home win on Friday. Austin Reaves led the team with 38 points on 12 of 15 shooting, Luka Doncic tallied 35 points with 11 assists, Deandre Ayton scored 17 points on eight of nine shooting while LeBron James chipped in with 13 points and seven assists. As a team, the Lakers shot a sizzling 59 percent from the field and 18 of 35 from the 3-point line which are impressive numbers, but they allowed 40 points in the second quarter and didn’t really have control until they closed the final 7:40 on a 20-9 run to win it relatively comfortably in the end.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 13 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have won each of their last 12 games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games at Crypto.com Arena against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against Southwest Division opponents.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The underdogs have won six of the Pelicans’ last nine games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have lost three of their last four games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Lakers.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as favorites following a home win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last eight home games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Nine of the Pelicans’ last 10 road games following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (35.1) this season.
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (70.7%) this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only four players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- Derik Queen ranks 8th amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (3.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.4).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.3).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.2).
Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are still banged up with Trey Murphy III, Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones, and Dejounte Murray all out, while the Lakers have ruled out Marcus Smart. They are keeping an eye on LeBron James, who is questionable for this one. The Pelicans have been one of the coldest teams in the league so far this season, but they do deserve some credit for how close they were against the Warriors last night. Still, the Pelicans now have to play the second game of a back to back set on the road against the Lakers, who have been one of the hottest teams in the league. The line is certainly hefty, but I think the Lakers get the early lead and cruise to a comfortable win and cover behind big games from Doncic and Reaves.