The Los Angeles Lakers (29-29) will travel to the Smoothie King Center to clash against the New Orleans Pelicans (26-34). The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds
In the Lakers’ last game, they defeated the Houston Rockets, 111-106, as 2.5-point underdogs. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were beaten by the Indiana Pacers, 126-111, and failed to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. The Los Angeles game finished 16.5 points under the projected point total of 233.5, while the New Orleans game finished 1.5 points under the projected point total of 238.5.
The Lakers held the Rockets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 9.8 (below their season average of 23.9) and had a free throw rate of 0.318 (above their season average of 0.179). New Orleans, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.0 (above their season average of 24.4). New Orleans’ Cheick Diallo had a good outing, recording 16 points and 18 rebounds. LeBron James, meanwhile fueled Los Angeles with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
In their first matchup this season, James led the Lakers to a 112-104 victory. He recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. Los Angeles covered as a 5-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 216 points, which was well under the projected point total of 235.5. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ largest strengths. They made 25 trips to the line, while New Orleans went 16 times.
Oddsmakers have a tendency to place the total high when the Lakers are playing, as 60.3 percent of their games have ended under the total. Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 29-29 straight up (SU) and 25-31-2 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Los Angeles, a little over half of Pelicans games have finished over the projected point total. Additionally, New Orleans is 26-34 SU and 28-30-1 ATS.
The offensive glass should be a huge edge for New Orleans in this battle. The Pelicans are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking seventh in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.5 percent. Meanwhile, Los Angeles ranks 22nd in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.4 percent.
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank 19th in three pointers attempted per game (30.4) while the Pelicans rank 28th in three pointers allowed per game (33.5).
- New Orleans averages 47.1 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (46.7).
- The Pelicans average 5.7 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Lakers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
- New Orleans ranks fifth in second chance points per game (14.5) while Los Angeles ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
- New Orleans averages 15.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
- The Pelicans average 58.1 points in the paint per game, which ranks first in the league. The Lakers rank 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.5).
- The Lakers average 24.9 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 26th in assists allowed per game (25.9).
- New Orleans ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (8.5).
- Los Angeles averages 18.9 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the league. New Orleans ranks 20th in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
- When allowing less than 100 points, New Orleans is 5-2 and Los Angeles is 7-0.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Pelicans are 26-28 and the Lakers are 28-23.
- Los Angeles is 14-15 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 14-14 ATS at home.
- Of the Lakers’ 29 road games, they have 15 overs and 14 unders.
- Of the Pelicans’ 28 home games, they have 14 unders, 13 overs and 1 push.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Los Angeles and New Orleans are both 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Lakers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.6, up from 1.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 108.4 points per game (7.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.4 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
