Lakers vs. Pelicans Pick
Are the host New Orleans Pelicans going to rise to the occasion tonight in the third leg of a very rare back-to-back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers? Game time is slated for 8PM ET.
805 Los Angeles Lakers at 806 New Orleans Pelicans, 8PM ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Pelicans are a 2-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 230 points.
Bet NBA Action For Thursday, March 22, 2018
LINE MOVEMENT
New Orleans opened as a 3-point favorite before the line dropped a point, while the total has gone up from 228.5. The Pelicans are a 2-point favorite almost everywhere, but can be found at -2.5 in Las Vegas. The total is at 230.5 or 231 at most books, so if you want to bet the over YouWager is the spot for you.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of Thursday afternoon, 53 percent of public bets are siding with host New Orleans. Online wager info also says that 53 percent of bets are being placed on the over.
INJURY TO WATCH
Lakers center Brook Lopez (back) is probable to play tonight. Power forward Channing Frye (appendix) is doubtful. Shooting guard Josh Hart (hand) is out, while small forward Brandon Ingram (hip flexor) is also out. Can we just put the whole New Orleans roster here as “fatigued” as they prepare to play their third game in as many nights following a makeup last night at Indiana? In all seriousness, the Pelicans have no new injuries to report. Point guard Frank Jackson (foot), center DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) and center Alex Ajinca (knee) are all out for the season.
BETTING STRATEGY
My initial thought was to side with the Lakers as there is no way the Pelicans have much left in the tank, especially after playing a close game last night in Indiana. But being at home and having a playoff spot to play for with not a lot of season left, New Orleans knows the importance of this game. The crowd should give them extra energy and Anthony Davis should be able to dominate as he did the last time he faced Los Angeles. Take the hosts here.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -2