LA Lakers (22-11) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8-29)
January 6, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +4.5; Over/Under: 239.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers invade the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to turn things around as they’ve won three of their past four games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after sneaking past the Grizzlies in a 120-114 win on Sunday. Luka Doncic led the team with 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, LeBron James racked up 26 points with seven rebounds and 10 assists while Jake LaRavia chipped in with 26 points on nine of 16 shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 11 of 41 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going. They quickly found themselves trailing by 16 points before they flipped the script and dominated the second half by 66-49 to run down the Grizzlies with time to spare in the end.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in poor form as they are now on an eight-game losing streak after getting scorched by the Heat in a 125-106 road defeat on Sunday. Trey Murphy III led the team with 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 10 of 19 shooting, Jeremiah Fears added 21 points on eight of 13 shooting while Derik Queen chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 40 from the 3-point line as they poured in 39 points in the first quarter to stay within striking distance of the Heat in the first half. However, they couldn’t maintain that pace and managed just 15 points in the third quarter to lose by double digits in another disappointing finish.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The home team has won three of the Lakers’ last four games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games following a win.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against the Lakers following a road loss.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 11 games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have won each of their last nine games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last four road games against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last seven home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the Lakers’ last 10 road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jordan Poole ranks 5th amongst qualified players for FT% (91.4%) this season.
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.7) this season.
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (70.4%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (42.0).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (69.7%).
Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, while the Pelicans have ruled out Saddiq Bey with Herbert Jones listed as questionable. The Lakers haven’t been playing anywhere near their best lately, and they are still missing two key players in Hachimura and Reaves, but they are still favorites against this ice-cold Pelicans squad, who have lost eight in a row. You couldn’t back either side with too much confidence these days, but the Lakers have a clear edge here, and I think they can continue building with a narrow win and cover on the road in this spot.
