The Los Angeles Lakers (22-11) seek their third victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (8-29) and ninth straight since 2024.
Head coach J.J. Redick’s squad is fresh off a pair of home wins over the Grizzlies, remaining atop the Pacific Division. The Lakers hit the road following a 3-2 homestand, trying to capture their first victory away from Crypto.com Arena since December 18.
The Pelicans own the worst record in the Western Conference and look for their first victory since December 22. New Orleans is riding a seven-game slide with the past three losses coming by double-digits.
Let’s look at the Lakers vs. Pelicans prediction and picks for Tuesday night’s tilt at Smoothie King Center, tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Lakers vs. Pelicans Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Lakers are 18-15 against the spread, the second-best mark among Pacific Division squads. New Orleans owns the best ATS mark out of the five Southwest Division clubs at 20-16.
Lakers vs. Pelicans Over/Under, Spread
The Lakers enter this matchup as 5.5-point favorites, returning a 1.4x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Pelicans are home underdogs with a 2.77x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5
- Over/Under: 243.5
- Game Winner Payout: Lakers 1.4x | Pelicans 2.77x
(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)
Lakers vs. Pelicans Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to get you set for Lakers vs. Pelicans tonight, including insights on our Lakers vs. Pelicans prediction.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread once during their seven-game losing streak.
- Since the start of December, New Orleans has posted an 8-3 ATS mark at Smoothie King Center.
- The Lakers bounced back from a blowout loss to the Pistons on Tuesday to beat the Grizzlies twice in a three-day span.
- Los Angeles has failed to cover the number in three straight road games.
- In the first matchup in L.A., the Lakers defeated the Pelicans, 118-104 on November 14. The Lakers outlasted New Orleans, 133-121 on November 30, but the Pels cashed as 15.5-point dogs.
- The Pelicans last defeated the Lakers on December 31, 2023 in a 129-109 home triumph.
Lakers vs. Pelicans NBA DFS Picks
Here are three top Lakers vs. Pelicans picks to target on Tuesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by three players: Lakers F/G Luka Doncic, New Orleans F Zion Williamson, and Los Angeles F LeBron James.
Lakers F/G Luka Doncic vs. Pelicans Projection: 33.5 Points
- Doncic leads the league in scoring at 33.7 points per game, his highest average since 2023-24.
- The former Mavericks star grilled the Grizzlies in the last two wins, racking up 34 and 36 points.
- In Friday’s 128-121 victory, he converted 17-of-20 free throws.
- In two matchups with the Pelicans, the 26-year old shot 39.5% from the field. He was held to 24 points in the first meeting, but bounced back with 34 points in late November.
- In four of his last five road games, Doncic was limited to less than 33 points. In the lone outlier in this span, he torched the Jazz for 45 points on December 18.
- The third pick of the 2018 draft averages 5 points less on the road (30.7) than at home (35.8).
Pelicans F Zion Williamson vs. Lakers Projection: 23.5 Points
- Williamson averages 22.8 ppg, the lowest since his rookie season of 2019-20.
- Since returning from a two-week absence with an adductor injury, the former Duke standout is scoring 23.4 ppg in the last 11 games.
- He missed each of the first two matchups with the Lakers due to injury. Last season, the top pick of the 2019 draft lit up the Lakers for 37 points in a 136-115 road defeat.
- In Saturday’s loss at Miami, Williamson was limited to 12 points, his third-lowest output of the season.
- In each of the three previous games, the 25-year old racked up at least 31 points, including a 35-point performance in Friday’s setback to New Orleans.
Lakers F LeBron James vs. Pelicans Projection: 29.5 Pts+Rebs
- James ranks third in scoring on the Lakers at 21.2 ppg, his lowest season output since his rookie campaign of 2003-04.
- The 41-year old deserves a break for his “down scoring,” racking up 57 points in the past two victories over Memphis.
- Since December 7, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is averaging 25.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.
- James snatched 4 or fewer rebounds in six consecutive games before grabbing 16 boards in the last two wins.
- The four-time NBA champion seeks at least 30 points and rebounds in three straight games since last season’s first round against Minnesota.
Make Lakers vs. Pelicans Picks on NBA on PrizePicks
The Pelicans seek their first win against the Lakers in three matchups and an end to their seven-game losing streak.
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