The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans will not compete in this year’s NBA playoffs. However, the fact that these teams meet one more time this season will provide us with a chance for the Anthony Davis story to come full circle. Davis, who has been linked to a move to Los Angeles as a free agent this upcoming summer, will not be in the lineup when New Orleans hosts the Lakers on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will also be without LeBron James, who has been shut down for the season.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers will enter Sunday night with a 13-25 record on the road so far this season. They are 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 road games overall. They’re also just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games when playing on one day of rest.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 19-19 on their home floor so far this season. New Orleans is 18-8-1 against the spread versus Pacific division opponents this season. The Pelicans are 1-7 against the spread in their last eight home games but they will have an excellent opportunity to snap that slide against a struggling Los Angeles side.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have won two of the first three meetings between these teams this season. However, the home team has won each of the first three games in this series so the Lakers can’t underestimate what New Orleans will bring to the table. The Lakers have had a little bit of life of late, winning three of its last four games heading into this contest. Of course, James played in most of those games, so missing him will change the dynamics.

JaVale McGee has stepped up big time with 15.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game over the last week of action. Meanwhile, Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo will have to provide some support with LeBron out for the remainder of the season with an injured groin. The Lakers don’t have enough weapons to outscore New Orleans in a shootout. They need to slow this game down somehow and keep it in the early 100s.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans had been a surprise playoff contender earlier in the year but the wheels have come off of late. This team has won just twice in their last 11 contests. That includes some ugly home losses, including to Phoenix and Atlanta – two of the worst teams in the NBA. With Davis out, they’ve had to rely on all sorts of other players to step up like Stanley Johnson and Frank Jackson, who’ve led them at different times over the last couple of weeks. Christian Wood has been a surprise contributor with 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over the last week.

This is a tough call to make as its two teams without their superstars, both slumping and playing out the final stretch of the season. However, the Pelicans are at home and are generally in better spirits.