by Rod Pearson
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers +1, Pelicans -1; Over/Under: 225.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers +1, Pelicans -1; Over/Under: 225.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers +1, Pelicans -1; Over/Under: 225.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 47-35 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
New Orleans Pelicans: 49-33 (2nd place, Southwest Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-3 last 10
New Orleans Pelicans: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 47-35 record overall and they are 19-21 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans in their last game. Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 30 while LeBron James was next on the team with 28 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 17 while LeBron James and Anthony Davis each led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 55.2% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range, and 94.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 118 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.4 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 39-44 this season and their O/U record is 47-35-1.
The Pelicans are entering this game with a 49-33 record overall and they are 21-19 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game. CJ McCollum led the team in points in that game with 25 while Herb Jones was next on the team with 18 points. Zion Williamson led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Zion Williamson led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 47.7% from the field, 40.5% from 3-point range, and 78.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.7 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 44-37-1 this season and their O/U record is 36-45-1.
Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 1 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is a game for the play-in tournament between the 7th seed and the 8th seed in the West, the winner moving on to the 7th seed in the playoffs while the loser will play the winner of the 9th/10th seed game to decide who gets the 8th seed in the West for the playoffs. The Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 47-35 record overall and for a while it looked like they were destined to play in the other game, but lately they have looked a lot better and have been surging up the standings in the West. They haven't looked great in their road games with their 19-21 road record, but they have been really hot in their games lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games. They put themselves in a position to climb into this 8th seed and when they needed to win, they ended up blowing out these same Pelicans in the final game of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have looked good in their games this season with their 49-33 record overall which has them as the 7th seed, but they had plenty of chances to climb up the standings in the West and earn a true playoff spot. They haven't looked that great on their home court this year with their 21-19 home record and they haven't looked great in their games lately either, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Lakers needed to win their last game of the season on the road against the Pelicans to avoid playing an extra game in this play-in tournament and they won't pass up the opportunity here against the same team they just beat to play just the 1 game and get the 7th seed. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Pelicans Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 121 Pelicans 117.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 15-23 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 21-39 ATS after 2 or more consecutive wins. 6-18 ATS off an upset win as a road underdog. 27-13 OVER in road games. 12-5 OVER against Southwest division opponents. 12-6 OVER off a road win.
New Orleans Pelicans: 13-6 ATS revenging a home loss vs opponent. 23-14 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 11-3 ATS after a game where they allowed a shooting pct. of 55% or higher. 22-14 OVER after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 6-3 OVER off a home loss by 10 points or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: A. Davis (PF) Prob Tues - Back. J. Vanderbilt (SF) Late April - Foot. J. Hood-Schifino (PG) Out indefinitely - Back. C. Wood (PF) Out indefinitely - Knee.
New Orleans Pelicans: None.
Notable Quotes
“I just want to win. So, whatever the game presents itself for me to be. I am a Swiss army knife. I’ve got to do it all on the floor, but none of it is predetermined.” - LeBron James after their win against the Pelicans in their last game of the regular season on Sunday.
“They punched us right in the mouth and they kept going. We let a really good opportunity slip away.” - Willie Green after his team’s loss against the LA Lakers in their last game of the regular season on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG D'Angelo Russell
SG Austin Reaves
SF LeBron James
PF Rui Hachimura
C Anthony Davis
New Orleans Pelicans
PG CJ McCollum
SG Brandon Ingram
SF Herbert Jones
PF Zion Williamson
C Jonas Valanciunas
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. James (25.7)
APG: L. James (8.3)
Reb/G: A. Davis (12.6)
New Orleans Pelicans
PPG: Z. Williamson (22.9)
APG: B. Ingram (5.7)
Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (8.8)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (2nd season)
New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
