It’s a massively important game for L.A. on Sunday night when they travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans.  The Lakers need to win this game and the season series finale on April 1 to clinch the tiebreaker against the Pelicans.  That’s a big deal as New Orleans sits just a half-game back of L.A. in the standings, with the two teams occupying the final two play-in tournament spots.

The Pelicans are 3-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 230.5.

Lakers vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Odds

New Orleans crushed the Lakers on Feb. 27, blowing them out 123-95 in Los Angeles.  Anthony Davis was not in the lineup against his former Pelicans squad, while LeBron James finished with a game-high 32 points in the losing effort.  CJ McCollum, who was acquired just before the NBA trade deadline, led New Orleans with 22 points.

The Lakers have been a mess this season and come into Sunday’s contest with 12 losses in their last 14 road games.  They haven’t been any better as a cover option as they’re 31-42 against the spread overall, including 15-20 ATS on the road.  The total has gone Over in four of L.A.’s last five games.

The Pelicans have a 17-21 home record this season and have dropped four of their last five games against the Lakers in New Orleans.  They’re 37-36-1 ATS overall, with covers in four of their last five games.  The total has gone Under in four of New Orleans’ last five games.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are barely clinging to their playoff hopes thanks to a herculean effort from James, who is averaging an NBA-high 30.0 points per game.  The impact James has was evident when he sat out with knee soreness in L.A.’s 126-121 home loss against the Sixers on Wednesday.  Russell Westbrook and Dwight Howard each had 24 points in the loss, while Malik Monk put up 23.  Carmelo Anthony finished with 20 points and seven rebounds.  It was the Lakers’ 11th loss in their last 15 games and they now sit 11 games below .500 for the season.  L.A. is guaranteed to finish with their seventh losing record in the last nine years.  It’s a pretty amazing fall from grace from an organization that only had seven losing records in the previous 53 years.

This is the biggest game of the season for L.A., so expect James to play.  Despite the persistent knee soreness, James had played the previous eight games before Wednesday, averaging 33.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists during that stretch.  Anthony Davis, who has been out since Feb. 16 due to a mid-foot sprain, is still without a timeline to return.  Talen Horton-Tucker is listed as probable on Sunday after sitting out three of the previous four games with a sprained left ankle.

New Orleans Pelicans

This is a must-win game for the Pelicans, so expect them to throw everything they can at L.A.  It’s the second half of a back-to-back for New Orleans after dropping a 107-103 decision against San Antonio on Saturday.  McCollum had a game-high 32 points in the loss, while Jose Alvarado added 23 points, five rebounds and five assists.  It was a career-high for Alvarado, an undrafted rookie.  Former Toronto Raptor Jonas Valanciunas finished with 18 points and 11 boards.

McCollum, who averages 22.5 ppg for the season, has averaged 26.4 ppg in 18 games since his trade to the Pelicans.  Brandon Ingram was listed as questionable on Saturday, but eventually missed a 10th straight game with a hamstring injury.  Ingram averages a team-high 22.8 ppg and will likely be a game-time decision on Sunday.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Pelicans?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)

day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Dwight Howard (C)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22

New Orleans

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Thurs Finger - 27 / 04 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Ques Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Wed Foot - 29 / 03 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Sun Foot - 27 / 03 / 22

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 27 / 03 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Prob Mon Hip - 19 / 03 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Out Sun	Illness - 07 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Out Sun	Foot - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 04 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22	2-3	2-3	+ -
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 02 / 04 / 22	3-3	3-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Thurs	Finger - 27 / 04 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Ingram is nursing a pair of right finger injuries, but he is expected to take on the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference first round.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Graham will not dress for Sunday's clash versus the Warriors as he will be given a day of rest.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Ques Wed	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Valanciunas is tending to right ankle soreness, and it is undetermined if he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22	4-5	6-3	+ -
Ingram is dealing with a tight right hamstring, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22	5-6	6-5	+ -
Valanciunas missed the previous game with a sore right ankle, but it is likely that he will hit the court on Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Wed	Foot - 29 / 03 / 22	6-7	6-7	+ -
Valanciunas is bothered by a sore right foot, but he is expected to battle the Blazers on Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Sun	Foot - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Valanciunas is hampered by right foot soreness, but it is expected that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
McCollum is nursing a sprain left ankle, but it is likely that he will battle the Lakers on Sunday.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Nance Jr. sat out the last game with a right knee injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Prob Mon	Hip - 19 / 03 / 22	10-9	8-11	+ -
Graham sat out the last contest with a right hip soreness, but it is likely that he will play against the Hornets on Monday.