The New Orleans Pelicans (11-23) will travel to the Staples Center to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers (27-7). The Lakers opened as 11-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222.5 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3, 2020.
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
The Pelicans come in on a high note after easily covering the 5-point spread against the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 127-112. The Lakers, on the other hand, defeated the Phoenix Suns,117-107, but were unable to cover as 11-point favorites. The New Orleans game finished 16 points over the projected point total of 223, while the Los Angeles game finished 1.5 points under the projected point total of 225.5.
The Pelicans had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 7.7 (better than their season average of 13.1) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.8 (above their season average of 22.9). Los Angeles, on the other hand, played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.267 (above their season average of 0.191) and a turnover percentage of 10.3 (better than their season average of 13.1). For those same stats, Phoenix was 0.198 and 12.7, respectively. LeBron James played an enormous role in the victory for Los Angeles with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to register his seventh triple-double of the season. New Orleans rallied around Lonzo Ball, who finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. This gave him his zeroth triple-double this season.
In their first matchup this year, Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a 114-110 win. He scored a game-high 41 points. The two teams combined to score 224 points, which was under the projected point total of 231, and Los Angeles was unable to cover as a 6.5-point favorite. The Lakers’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Pelicans. Los Angeles had a rate of 13.5, while New Orleans posted a mark of 16.4.
Of the Pelicans’ 34 games, 18 have finished under the O/U total. New Orleans holds records of 11-23 straight up (SU) and 13-19-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Lakers’ 34 games, 20 have finished under the O/U total. Further, Los Angeles is 27-7 SU and 18-16 ATS.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Los Angeles figures to have a noteworthy edge. The sweet-shooting Lakers offense ranks second in the league in that metric at 0.543, while the porous New Orleans defense is ranked 21st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.535).
Pelicans vs. Lakers Betting Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank first in blocks per game (7.1) while the Pelicans rank 15th (4.8).
- New Orleans ranks fourth in fast break points per game (16.1) while Los Angeles ranks 28th in fast break points allowed per game (15.6).
- The Pelicans rank fourth in three pointers attempted per game (38.8) while the Lakers rank 23rd (30.7).
- Los Angeles scores 18.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the league. New Orleans ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
- Los Angeles ranks second in steals per game (8.6) while New Orleans ranks 17th (7.6).
- The Lakers average 53.1 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the league. The Pelicans rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.0).
- The Lakers rank third in rebounds allowed per game (41.9) while the Pelicans rank 19th (46.2).
- Los Angeles averages 26.1 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league. New Orleans ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
- Los Angeles ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.6) while New Orleans ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (14.2).
- New Orleans is 3-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 11-0.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Pelicans are 11-20 and the Lakers are 23-7.
- New Orleans is 6-9-2 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 9-7 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Lakers’ 16 home games, while 9 of the Pelicans’ 17 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, New Orleans and Los Angeles have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 2-3.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 112.6 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.0 points per game (14.4 below their season average).
- The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 7.2 for the season.
