Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, NBA Odds
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Edgar Chaput
The best final days of the NBA regular season are those for which so much remains on the line. The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. However, because the Phoenix Suns usurped the Sacramento Kings as well, New Orleans would do well to take Sunday’s game seriously to avoid being a Play-In team next week.
Los Angeles, who downed the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, is officially a Play-In team. However, it remains to be seen whether they will partake in the 7 vs. 8 or the 9 vs. 10 game.
Check the NBA odds have the host Pelicans as -3.5 favourites.
Lakers vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Odds
Sunday is the fourth time this season the teams will clash. The very first meeting was the In-Season Tournament semi-final in Las Vegas, which the Purple and Gold won decisively, 133-89, Since they the clubs have split the matches, with the home team winning each once. None of the contests have been close, with the Lakers winning by 44 points and 17 points, and the Pelicans winning by 20 points.
Good news for L.A. is that Anthony Davis is back in full force. He was a participant in Friday’s match in Memphis after missing some time because of an eye injury. His absence greatly affected games last week against the Timberwolves and Warriors, the latter being a potential Play-In opponent. Overall the Lake Show has gone 7-3 outright in its last 10 games, although it failed to cover four of the past five spreads.
It was imperative that New Orleans start winning games down the stretch for a couple of reasons. First, they were, and technically still are, in danger of being downgraded to a Play-In team. Second, the Pelicans had had a miserable season against most good teams. But the winds may be changing direction given their victories against the Suns, Kings, and Warriors this past week. All on the road, for that matter. New Orleans has also covered three of its past four spreads, which halted a poor streak during which they went 1-6 ATS.
Los Angeles Lakers
We’re at the stage of the season when all that matters is winning. Whether the successes come by one point or 30 points, the important thing is to get the proverbial “W.” Exhibit A was Friday night in Memphis versus the Grizzlies.
It was a tough match, with the hosts pushing the favoured Lakers to the limit. This was despite the Grizzlies being reduced to playing what was essentially their B-team. Guys like GG Jackson and Scotty Pippen Jr. gave L.A. all it could handle. But, as had been so often the case the past few years, AD (36-5-14) and LeBron James (37-5-9) come through in the end, with LeBron making a critical steal very late, sealing the deal with an emphatic reverse dunk. Lakers win, 123-120.
New Orleans Pelicans
Friday night was a show of character from the New Orleans Pelicans. Being the road team against a hot Warriors squad with a lot on the line was a recipe for disappointment if past performances were anything to go by.
To their credit, despite a slow start during they scored only 17 points in the first quarter, the Pelicans blew by the Warriors in the second period 45-22. That ultimately paved the way to a crucial 114-109 win, putting the Louisiana club one step closer to being the sought-after sixth seed. This is the time of year when seeing the sort of numbers that Zion Williamson (26 points) and CJ McCollum (28 points) put up should comfort Pelicans supporters. Trey Murphy III also had one of his better games with 24 points. This team is better with Brandon Ingram (knee), but at least we know that in his absence they have fight in them.
LAL
NO