The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at the crypto.com Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are starting to heat up again as they are now gunning for a fifth straight victory after blowing past the Clippers in a 117-106 road win on Wednesday. CJ McCollum led the team with 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Zion Williamson added 21 points with 10 assists while Brandon Ingram chipped in with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 53 percent from the field and 12 of 32 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Clippers from the start with a 36-19 first quarter push, and they did just enough to stay in front right till the end despite the Clippers pouring in 37 points in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans will play against the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Wizards after this game.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their last eight games overalll and they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their three-game win streak halted by the Nuggets in a 114-106 loss last night. Anthony Davis led the team with 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks, LeBron James tallied 25 points with nine rebounds and seven assists while Austin Reaves chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 46 percent from the field and eight of 25 from the 3-point line as they really took it to the Nuggets in a game that was close all the way until the Nuggets closed the final 1:56 on a 10-2 run to fall short in the end.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Facts
- The Lakers have won seven of their last eight home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Each of the Lakers’ last seven games as favorites against the Pelicans have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The underdogs have won five of the Pelicans’ last six games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last five road games on the first leg of a back-to-back after winning as underdogs.
- Nine of the Pelicans’ last 10 night games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans could be shorthanded once again with Zion Williamson, Naji Marshall and Jonas Valanciunas all listed as questionable, while the Lakers are still without Gabe Vincent and D’Angelo Russell. The Pelicans are coming into this game with plenty of momentum after reeling off three straight wins and they will be full of confidence after taking down the Clippers in an upset win on Wednesday, while the Lakers will be kicking themselves after falling short to the Nuggets in a tough loss last night. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but assuming that the Pelicans aren’t too shorthanded, I’ll take them over the Lakers in a close one.