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The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Pelicans-Lakers prediction and pick.
This is an absolutely huge game for both of these teams. The Pelicans are currently sitting in the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 33-43 record on the season. They only have a two-game lead on the Lakers, who are tied for the tenth seed in the conference. A loss would endanger New Orleans' status as the ninth seed. If Los Angeles drops this game, their chances of making the postseason in any capacity are in serious danger. This is the definition of a must-win game for the Lakers in a season that has been one of the most disappointing years in recent memory.
Here are the Pelicans-Lakers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Pelicans-Lakers Odds
New Orleans Pelicans: -1 (-108)
Los Angeles Lakers: +1 (-112)
Over: 230.5 (-110)
Under: 230.5 (-110)
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Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
It's a little surprising to see the Pelicans as such small favorites in this game. These teams have faced each other twice this season, and New Orleans has won both matchups handily. Now the Pelicans enter this game after going 5-2 in their last seven games. They've been playing solid basketball lately, which can't be said about the Lakers. Los Angeles has been absolutely awful, losing five of their last six contests. It's hard to trust the Lakers to do anything right at this point, especially against a New Orleans team that's already beaten them twice.
The Pelicans' offense has a great matchup here. Los Angeles has been terrible on defense, allowing a whopping 114 points per game. The Lakers also allow their opponents to shoot 46% from the field, a number that ranks in the bottom ten in the NBA. The first time these teams played, the Pelicans dropped 123 points on Los Angeles. There's no reason to think that anything will change in this matchup.
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
In order for the Lakers to cover in this contest, star forward LeBron James needs to have a monster game. Fortunately for Los Angeles, that's a strong possibility. James scored 36 or more points in each of his last four games, and now he faces a Pelicans defense that he's had success against. James just dropped 39 on the Pelicans, and he scored 32 on them earlier in the season. The fact that this game is so important to the Lakers' season should also play a part, as James is at his best in pressure-filled situations. It's very possible that LeBron dominates this game in an effort to push the Lakers into the postseason.
Home court advantage will help the Lakers in this game. Los Angeles has been far better at home than they have been on the road, earning a 52% winning percentage at Crypto.com Arena and a 28% winning percentage everywhere else. The Pelicans have also been worse on the road, going 15-22 away from home and 18-21 on their own court. The Lakers are clearly more comfortable at home, and that should show in this contest.
Final Pelicans-Lakers Prediction & Pick
The only justifiable pick here is the Pelicans. They've beaten the Lakers twice already, they've been playing good basketball lately, and they face a struggling Los Angeles squad. Lock in New Orleans.
Final Pelicans-Lakers Pick: New Orleans Pelicans: -1 (-108)
