Sunday marks the end of the NBA regular season. The Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans will square off on the final day as both squads are heading in opposite directions. The Lakers have been on a complete tear of late, winning four of five and getting healthier. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have been eliminated from the postseason and have lost three straight. Can the Lakers extend the Pelicans losing streak, or will New Orleans send Los Angeles back into the losing column?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers are just 1-3-1 ATS in their past five matchups when playing on the road. Though that number is expected to improve here as their team is not only getting strong but are focused to move up in the standings.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans are just 1-4 straight up in their last five games and another win doesn’t seem likely here. The team already has their sights set on this upcoming offseason and at least five players in their rotation are expected to miss this season finale.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have struggled with injuries all season long, which is why they are sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference with their 41-30 record on the year. However, the team is coming back together at the perfect time. LeBron James and Anthony Davis each returned to action in their win over the Indiana Pacers, combining for 52 points, and are expected to get out there once again in this game. With so much positioning on the line and the potential to participate in the play-in tournament soon, the Lakers will be doing everything in their power to pick up a win here. They are currently tied with the Portland Trail Blazers in the standings (with a record of 41-30) but the Trail Blazers have the tiebreaker. They’ll be at home to Denver on Sunday night and Denver could use the win too. If the Blazers lose and the Lakers win, they could sneak out of the play-in tournament and move straight into the playoffs. This team will need every bit of James stat line of 25 points, 7.9 rebound sand 7.8 assists per game in order to end their season with five straight victories.

New Orleans Pelicans

Not only are they eliminated from the playoffs, but they will be missing almost their entire starting lineup for this matchup. Zion Williamson, Steven Adams, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram are all ruled out for this contest with various injuries. That means a lot of younger, inexperienced players are about to get extended minutes against a hungry Lakers team that is on fire as of late. The situation doesn’t bode too well for them whatsoever, though there is potential for them to win this game if the Lakers come out sleepy. Role players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes may be critical to an upset win here and have already played in a number of games. At the end of the day, this game means nothing for the Pelicans. It’s hard to expect them to pull this off.

Who Will Win Lakers vs. Pelicans?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

New Orleans

James Johnson (PF)

Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21

Naji Marshall (PF)

Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Wes Iwundu (SF)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21

Brandon Ingram (SF)

out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
James Johnson (PF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 15 / 05 / 21	0-2	2-0	+ -
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF)	Prob Fri	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	out for season	Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	out for season	Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C)	out for season	Toe - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21	4-3	2-5	+ -
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Tues	Toe - 29 / 04 / 21	8-3	3-8	+ -
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Wed	Toe - 25 / 04 / 21	8-4	3-9	+ -
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21	9-4	4-9	+ -
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.