New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 12/21/18 Predictions & Odds

Pelicans vs. Lakers Prediction

The featured game on the NBA schedule tonight features two of the best in the league when LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers host Anthony Davis’ New Orleans Pelicans at 10:30PM ET.

Game Snapshot & Odds

519 New Orleans Pelicans at 520 Los Angeles Lakers

Friday, December 21, 2018

10:30PM ET – STAPLES Center

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Lakers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Pelicans. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 233 points. The public betting for this game currently has 56 percent going on the Pelicans on the road. 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 a rough road team

The Pelicans are coming off a 123-115 loss at Milwaukee as their road woes continued. New Orleans is 15-17 overall, 4-12 on the road, 15-17 against the spread and 17-15 with the over.

New Orleans has one of the best offenses in the league, as the Pelicans average 116.7 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Pelicans give up 115.3 points per game while opponents shoot 46.7 percent from the floor. Already without Elfrid Payton due to injury, Nikola Mirotic is doubtful to play tonight with an ankle injury while Julius Randle (ankle) and Anthony Davis (illness) are both questionable. Davis is averaging 28.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.79 blocks per game for the Pelicans. Jrue Holiday is adding 20.7 points and 8.8 assists per contest.

Lakers return home

The Lakers wrapped up a four-game road trip in which they went 1-3 straight up and against the spread. Los Angeles is now 18-13 on the season, 11-4 at home, 12-18-1 against the spread and 18-12-1 with the under.

Los Angeles is putting up 113.3 points per game on offense while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Lakers are giving up 111.7 points per game while opponents shoot 45.1 percent from the floor. JaVale McGee is doubtful for tonight’s game due to a flu bug while Rajon Rondo is questionable to return from his hand injury. LeBron James is averaging 28.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game to lead the team while Kyle Kuzma is adding 18.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

New Orleans

The Pelicans are 0-5 against the spread in their last five Friday games and 14-4 ATS in their last 18 games against Pacific Division opponents.

Los Angeles

The Lakers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games playing on two days of rest and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five home games.

Prediction:

The Lakers are returning back home where they have played very well. The Pelicans are going on the road with a very beat up roster and I think that will be the difference in the game. Davis can’t do it all alone and not having some of his key teammates in the paint will make it difficult for the Pelicans to pick up a cover.

NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5