Pelicans vs. Lakers Prediction
Will the Los Angeles Lakers have any difficulty getting past the New Orleans Pelicans at home when the two meet up tonight at 10:30PM ET?
573 New Orleans Pelicans vs. 574 Los Angeles Lakers
Friday, January 3, 2020
10:30PM ET – STAPLES Center
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Lakers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -10.5 points against the Pelicans. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 224.5 points. The public betting currently has 55 percent going on Los Angeles as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pelicans on a surprising win streak
New Orleans is riding a four-game win streak right now, including wins at Portland and Denver, and home wins over the Pacers and Rockets. The Pelicans are 11-23 on the season, 5-12 on the road, 14-19-1 against the spread and 18-16 with the under.
The Pelicans are struggling on defense this season, allowing 116.4 points per game while opponents shoot 46.6 percent against them. Offensively, New Orleans is putting up 112.3 points per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 25.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Jrue Holiday is adding 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest.
Lakers look for fourth straight
Los Angeles is on a three-game win streak right now following a 117-107 win over Phoenix at home on Wednesday. However, the Lakers are just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games. Los Angeles is 27-7 on the season, 12-4 at home, 18-16 against the spread and 20-14 with the under.
The Lakers are a strong defensive team this season, allowing just 105.3 points per game while holding opponents to 43.9 percent shooting. Offensively, Los Angeles is putting up 112.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 48.2 percent from the field. Anthony Davis is leading the team with 27.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. LeBron James is adding 25.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 10.9 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five games as an underdog and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road games.
Los Angeles
The Lakers are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games as a favorite and just 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a win.
Prediction:
The Lakers won the first meeting in New Orleans, 114-110, but the Pelicans covered as a 6.5 point favorite. New Orleans has looked great in recent weeks against some good teams. The Pelicans have plenty of motivation for this game, with a number of former Lakers returning to their former home. I am sure Davis will be motivated as well against his former team, but it’s not easy to win by double figures in the NBA. The Lakers are just 3-5 ATS in their last eight as a double-digit favorite, so I will take my chances in the upset-minded Pelicans.
NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans +10.5