The New Orleans Pelicans (19-43) and Los Angeles Lakers (36-24) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on SportsNet LA.
The Lakers are 8.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Lakers -8.5), with the over/under set at 243 total points. Los Angeles is a -350 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +275 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pelicans vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3.
Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction, Picks
- Pelicans vs Lakers pick: Pelicans +8.5 (-110)
My Lakers vs. Pelicans best bet is on New Orleans to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pelicans vs Lakers Odds
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 243 -110o / -110u | +275 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 243 -110o / -110u | -350 |
Pelicans vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Pelicans are bad, but they aren't completely lost. New Orleans surprisingly hangs in there.
The Pelicans went 6-4 ATS in the month of February.
Let's dig into some trends:
- New Orleans is 10-4 as a double-digit dog this season.
- The Lakers are 4-1 when double-digit favorites. The one ATS loss? The Pelicans.
- The Pelicans are 19-18 ATS when Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III both play, and an incredible 18-9 ATS when Zion and Herb Jones play. Williamson has been upgraded to questionable for this game and Jones is good to go.
The Lakers have proven time and time again they can’t beat any team with a pulse, and the Pelicans do have a pulse.
The Pelicans at least compete and have talent, which is more than the typical double-digit dog would say.
New Orleans’ offense has enough juice on the interior to attack the Lakers and make them sweat, and the Pelicans' perimeter defenders can at least shake up Austin Reaves and hang with the Lakers’ physicality.
Pelicans vs Lakers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Pelicans +8.5
This is a pretty bad trap spot for the Lakers with the Nuggets in Denver next on tap.
The Pelicans are a lottery team who doesn’t have their first round pick. So, they have no reason to tank.
This has the makings of a lookahead spot for the Lakers. Dangerous.
Over 243 (Lean)
I lean slightly Over in this game, but not by much, so I’ll avoid the total.
The Pelicans' offense and defense can both vanish without a trace, and Lakers’ home Overs haven’t been as good lately.
I do think Trey Murphy has a huge game in what is basically an “audition” for a potential trade this summer.
Pelicans vs Lakers Best Bets
- Pelicans +8.5
- Over 243 (Lean)
Spread
My Pelicans vs. Lakers betting prediction is on New Orleans to cover the spread (+8.5).
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline in tonight's game.
Over/Under
I also lean toward the Over at 243 total points in this spot. However, I don't like it quite enough to warrant a wager.
