The New Orleans Pelicans (4-9) welcome the Los Angeles Lakers (8-4) to Smoothie King Center Saturday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Lakers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Lakers won 3-1 in 2023-24 regular season and 110-106 in play-in
The Pelicans beat the visiting Denver Nuggets 101-94 Friday, closing as 2-point underdogs. They were led by F Brandon Ingram, who dropped 29 points on 12-of-26 shooting. New Orleans snapped a 6-Game losing streak with the victory. It is 1-6 against the spread (ATS) over its last 7 Games and 3-10 ATS on the season.
The Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-115 Friday, closing as 2.5-point road favorites. They are 2-4 straight up/ATS on the road this season. Los Angeles has rattled off 4 straight wins, going 3-1 ATS. It is led by F Anthony Davis, who is averaging 31.1 points per game.
Lakers at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 11:59 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Pelicans +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread: Lakers -6.5 (-115) | Pelicans +6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Lakers at Pelicans key injuries
Lakers
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
- F Rui Hachimura (ankle) out
Pelicans
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) out
- G CJ McCollum (adductor) out
- G Dejounte Murray (hand) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Lakers at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 113, Pelicans 104
Moneyline
PASS.
The Lakers (-275) are rolling, but they are too expensive to play here. Similarly, the Pelicans are 1-4 in their last 5 home Games and can’t be trusted to come out on top as underdogs.
Against the spread
BET LAKERS -6.5 (-115).
The Lakers have won 3 of their last 4 games as favorites, and their offense has been surging, scoring at least 116 points in 4 straight. They are 7-5 ATS on the season.
The Pelicans are the opposite of on fire and have lost 6 of their last 7. They’ve scored 105 or fewer points in 4 straight games, including two 88-point performances. Two of New Orleans’ top 3 active scorers are shooting under 41% from the field.
Take the more efficient offense, and back LAKERS -6.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 219.5 (-115).
The Pelicans have gone Under in 4 of their last 6 games, mainly due to their struggling offense. They have allowed 107 or fewer points in 3 straight games and play at the second-slowest pace in the NBA.
The Lakers are on the second night of a back-to-back and have allowed 106 or fewer points in 2 of their last 4 games. They are 2-2 O/U in their last 4. Considering those trends, back UNDER 219.5 (-115).
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