Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Preview, and Odds

This Tuesday, the (33-35) Los Angeles Lakers will travel to New Orleans, LA to take on the (33-35) New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff will be at 8:00 PM EST inside the Smoothie King Center. This will be the fourth and final meeting between these two teams this regular season, as the Lakers won the last battle, 120-102.

The Lakers are coming into this one after falling to the New York Knicks, 112-108. They struggled on the offensive end of the court, as they will need to heat up from the field if they want to challenge the Pelicans on the road.

The New Orleans Pelicans are entering this game after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, 127-110. They were on fire on the offensive end of the court in that game, as they will have to stay efficient if they want to take down the Lakers are home.

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This game was written/published before last night's results.

Can the Lakers Make a Run?

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference standings, as they are 13 games back from the first-place Denver Nuggets. They are also (7-3) in their last 10 games. On offense, they are scoring 116.6 points per game and they have shot 47.9% from the floor. This is the eighth most points averaged per game and the 11th-highest team shooting percentage. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Lakers have the 21st-highest adjusted offensive rating in the NBA. Anthony Davis continues to lead the way on the offensive end of the floor, as he is scoring 25.9 points per game on 56% shooting from the floor. He has had to step up with LeBron James still out with a foot injury. Los Angeles has also shown that they are much more successful when they are attacking the basket. They have only shot 34% from deep, which is the 26th-highest three-point shooting percentage in the league. Los Angeles has shot 77.8% at the charity stripe, as well. This is the 20th-highest free-throw shooting percentage, as they can't miss out on these free points and still expect to win these games.

On defense, the Lakers are surrendering 117.2 points per game and they are allowing their opponents to shoot 46.8% from the floor. This is the 22nd most points given up per game and the 10th-lowest shooting percentage allowed. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Lakers have the 14th lowest adjusted defensive rating in the NBA. They are contesting shots in the paint and their perimeter defense has been solid as well. Los Angeles is forcing their opponents to shoot 34.3% from behind the arc, which is the second-lowest three-point shooting percentage allowed. The Los Angeles Lakers are also averaging 45.6 rebounds per game, which is the fifth most in the league.

Injury Report: LeBron James SF (Foot) and Mo Bamba C (Ankle) are out.

Can the Pelicans Heat Up at Home?

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently in 12th place in the Western Conference standings, as they are 12 games back from the Denver Nuggets. New Orleans is also (3-7) in their last 10 games either. On offense, they are scoring 114 points per game and they have shot 47.8% from the floor. This is the 16th most points scored per contest and the 12th-highest team shooting percentage. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Pelicans have the 20th-highest adjusted offensive rating in the NBA. They are also dealing with injuries, though. Williamson is out and Ingram is questionable, as CJ McCollum has had to lead the way on the offensive end of the court. He is averaging 21.2 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the field. New Orleans has also shot 35.6% from behind the arc, which is the 19th-highest three-point shooting percentage in the league. They have been solid at the charity stripe, though. The Pels have shot 78.4% at the line, which is the 17th-highest free-throw percentage.

On the defensive end of the court, the Pelicans are allowing 113.3 points per game and their opponents have shot 47.5% from the floor. This is the 15th least amount of points surrendered per game and the 17th lowest shooting percentage allowed. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Pelicans have the eighth-lowest adjusted defensive rating in the NBA. They have consistently contested shots near the rim, but their perimeter defense has been outstanding. They are forcing their opponents to shoot 33.9% from behind the arc, which is the lowest three-point shooting percentage allowed. The New Orleans Pelicans are also averaging 43.7 rebounds per game, which is the 13th most.

Injury Report: Brandon Ingram SF (Ankle) is out. Zion Williamson PF (Hamstring, Jose Alvarado PG (Shin), and E.J. Liddell SF (Knee) are out.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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I am going to ride with the Lakers on the road, as I like the additions that they made at the trade deadline and they will be highly motivated to bounce back after losing their last game to the Knicks. I don't trust the New Orleans Pelicans right now, either. They are currently dealing with injuries, as Ingram is questionable for this game and Zion is still out. This has hurt them all season, and I see that trend continuing in this one. I don't believe the Pelicans will be able to efficiently score against the Lakers, as they have the 14th-lowest adjusted defensive rating and they are holding their opponents to the 10th-lowest shooting percentage from the field. They will make it tough for the Pels and New Orleans will slowly fall behind in this game. I also trust this Los Angeles offense, as they are averaging the eighth most points per game and they have the 11th-highest team shooting percentage. They will continue to attack the basket throughout this game and slowly pull away. The Lakers are playing desperately and the Pelicans have continued to slide in the wrong direction.

Pick the Los Angeles Lakers ML.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers ML

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Full-Game Total Pick

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I will be hammering the over in this matchup, as I see both of these teams taking enough shots to push this total over the number. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Lakers have the third-highest adjusted tempo rating, as they will push the ball up the court with pace and look to score in transition as often as they can. This will allow both teams to take more shots from the field, as they will each have plenty of opportunities to push this total over the number. The Lakers are also scoring the eighth most points per game and they are allowing the 22nd most. They will continue to attack throughout this game, but they will also allow the Pelicans to score throughout. I don't see the Pelicans consistently stopping the Lakers in this game either. Los Angeles will score the majority of the points that we need to push this total over the number, as the Pels are allowing the 15th most points per game and they are only (3-7) in their last 10. They've struggled defensively at times this season and I see that trend continuing.

Pick the Over and expect both offenses to have success in this game.

Prediction: Over

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