NBA Predictions: Are Pelicans going to earn first win at Lakers? 10/22/17

Pelicans vs. Lakers Pick

Will the New Orleans Pelicans notch their first win after a pair of losses Sunday night at the Los Angeles Lakers? Tip-off is 9:30PM EST.

Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have listed the Pelicans as a 4.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over under is set at 222.

New Orleans is 0-2 on the season after a 128-120 home loss to Golden State Friday night. Los Angeles is 1-1 after it downed host Phoenix 132-130 Saturday night. The four meetings last year were split 2-2 straight up and ATS. The total went under in three games.

In the loss Friday night, the Pelicans were led by Anthony Davis as he tallied 35 points along with 17 rebounds and five assists. DeMarcus Cousins also put in 35 points to go with 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Jrue Holliday and Jordan Crawford both scored 13. New Orleans led 39-26 after one quarter before being outscored in each of the remaining three.

The Lakers were highlighted by an outstanding effort from rookie Lonzo Ball Saturday as he nearly recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Brandon Ingram scored 25 points, while Brook Lopez had 19 points and 11 boards. Los Angeles took a 106-99 lead into the fourth quarter before holding off a rally.

Bet on Pelicans vs. Lakers

New Orleans is better than its small sample size record indicates, dropping games to a pair of playoff teams including the NBA champion Warriors. Davis and Cousins have been dominant as expected, but it's clear they could use a little more help. Expect it to happen here against a Lakers team that struggles to guard from anywhere, whether it's the interior or at the 3-point line.

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -4.5

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