Lakers vs. Pelicans Odds, Pick, Prediction | NBA Betting Preview (March 14)

Lakers vs. Pelicans Odds

If the NBA Play-In Tournament began today the Los Angeles Lakers would be hosting the New Orleans Pelicans in a matchup of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 team in the West. Tonight the teams meet in New Orleans for a game that is crucial with both teams tied in the standings.

The Lakers have won two of the three previous meetings, so the Pelicans need this game to avoid losing the tiebreaker. Here's my breakdown and betting pick for Lakers vs. Pelicans.

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Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers enter tonight’s showdown with the Pelicans winners of seven of their past 10 games. That's good news considering LeBron James has been out of the lineup for the past two weeks.

The Lakers' trade deadline additions of D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt have paid off very well. In his past two games, Russell has led the Lakers with 28 and 33 points respectively. Vanderbilt isn’t mush of a scorer, but his defense and rebounding has been welcome additions.

The biggest piece of the Lakers recent success has been the play of Anthony Davis. In his past five games Davis is averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 55% from the field. Davis has stepped up when his teammates have needed him most.

If you have been backing the Lakers through this last season run you have been able to make a profit. The Lakers are 5-3 against the spread since the All-Star break and 8-3 ATS since the trade deadline. Only the Nets, 76ers and Knicks have more ATS wins since the deadline.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans started the season with a ton of hope and optimism. On Jan. 1 the Pelicans had a 23-13 record, but Injuries to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson caused the Pelicans to struggle.

Since New Years Day, the Pelicans have posted a 10-22 record. Ingram has returned to the lineup for the Pelicans but Williamson remains out. Williamson has only played in 114 games in just under four seasons. New Orleans needs him to be a healthy contributor, but it rarely happens. All we know is that he keep needing to be re-evaluated every couple of weeks.

While the Lakers are making strides the Pelicans are sliding. New Orleans is 3-7 SU and ATS in their past 10 games. At home, they are 7-7 ATS since losing Williamson to injury in January.

Lakers-Pelicans Pick

In these teams three previous matchups the home team has won and covered, including a 18-point Lakers win when the two teams met in L.A. last month. Ingram is questionable for tonight’s game, while Davis is probable.

I would be shocked if either missed such an important game. Action Network's early betting splits indicate the Lakers getting over 75% of the tickets and 80% of the handle backing them. Im going to fade the public and back the home team in what is a must-win game for the Pelicans. I would play New Orleans from pick'em to -2.

Pick: Pelicans +1 — Play to -2