Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans 03/14/2023 NBA Odds and Prediction

The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans face off at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night in a battle of teams trying to solidify their play-in tournament positions.

Los Angeles is currently 9th in the Western Conference team standings with a record of 33-5 SU. They are coming off a loss to the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have the same record as the Lakers but are one spot ahead of them in the standings at no.8

L.A. and New Orleans are two teams tied for the 9th to 12th spot so this is a crucial game for both squads with regular season games running out. The Lakers lead their season series 2-1 and won their last meeting in Los Angeles 120-102.

Los Angeles Lakers

After a season-long struggle, the Lakers had a chance to get to the .500 mark last Sunday but they were unable to hold off the Knicks and Julius Randle. Despite the loss, the Lakers are in 9th place in a tight Western Conference race and they will have a chance to improve their standing with a win in New Orleans.

D’Angelo Russell had a season-high 33 points while also issuing 8 assists. However, D’Lo only scored 2 points in the fourth quarter and the Lakers were unable to stop Julius Randle and RJ Barrett from scoring points as the Knicks won the game 112-108.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans has dropped 8 out of their last 11 games played but are 3-3 in their last 6 outings. The Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 the last time out and now they will try to separate themselves from the Lakers who have the same record as them right now.

Trey Murphy buried a career-best 9 three-pointers while scoring a career-high 41 points in the win against Portland. CJ McCollum added 22 points with 11 assists and Herbert Jones contributed 16 markers. Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards as the Pels won without Brandon Ingram.

Lakers vs Pelicans SU Predictions

The Lakers are 2-1 SU in their last 3 games played against the Pelicans. Los Angeles is also 2-3 SU in their last 5 games played in New Orleans.

Los Angeles Lakers SU trends:

• The Lakers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played.
• The Lakers are 2-1 SU in their last 3 games played on the road.
• The Lakers are 7-13 SU in their last 20 road games against the Western Conference.
• The Lakers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games played in March.
• The Lakers are 3-11 SU in their last 14 games played on a Tuesday.

New Orleans Pelicans SU trends:

• The Pelicans are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games played.
• The Pelicans are 22-12 SU in their last 34 games played at home.
• The Pelicans are 16-5 SU in their last 21 home games against the Western Conference.
• The Pelicans are 10-5 SU in their last 15 Tuesday home games played.
• The Pelicans are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games played against the Pacific Division.

After making big moves at the trade deadline, the Lakers have given themselves the opportunity to get to the playoffs. Although nothing is certain right now, at least Los Angeles is within striking distance of a play-in spot and even outright entry to the postseason if they can finish strong.

Los Angeles opened the season with five consecutive losses and has been unable to get to the .500 mark. They had a chance the last time out but did not get the job done at home.

Although they are coming off a tough 112-108 loss to the New York Knicks, the Lakers have won seven out of their last 9 games played and have done it with LeBron James sitting out six of those games. LBJ is still out with a foot injury and will be re-evaluated next week.

Anthony Davis has carried the Lakers during this stretch. AD is however averaging just 12.5 points per game over his last two games after putting up 33.0 points per game in the previous five games. He did grab 16 boards while D’Angelo Russell waxed hot with 33 points to lead the Lakers.

The Pelicans were among the top teams in the West when Zion Williamson was healthy. But without Zion, they have struggled to stay afloat. New Orleans has dropped 7 out of their last 10 games played but has won two out of their last 3.

They beat the Blazers 127-110 last Sunday behind Trey Murphy’s career-high 41 points, which included 9 three-pointers. CJ McCollum added 22 points with 11 assists as the Pelicans bounced back from a home loss to the OKC Thunder on Saturday night.

Los Angeles won the first two meetings between these two teams this season, as both games were played in L.A. The Pelicans got their first win over the Lakers last February 4 behind Brandon Ingram’s 35 points. But more than the Pelicans tying their season series or the Lakers winning it, both teams will try to solidify their play-in tournament position.

Currently, four teams have identical 33-35 SU records and are ranked 8th to 11th. This group includes the Pelicans and Lakers. They are also just 2.5 games behind the 6th seed so anything is still possible.

The Pelicans are without Zion and also without Ingram who has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle. Los Angeles is playing their best basketball of the season over the last two weeks. They should be motivated to get back on track after losing to the Knicks. Give me the Lakers to win on the road.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers vs Pelicans ATS Predictions

The Lakers are 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games played against the Pelicans. Los Angeles is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games played in New Orleans.

Los Angeles Lakers ATS trends:

• The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
• The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss.
• The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight-up loss.
• The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games versus a team with a losing straight-up record.
• The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The Lakers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games against a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

New Orleans Pelicans ATS trends:

• The Pelicans are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
• The Pelicans are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Pelicans are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game
• The Pelicans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight-up win of more than 10 points
• The Pelicans are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game
• The Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS win.
• The Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight-up win.

The Pelicans have been competitive despite struggling as of late. In their last 5 losses, the average losing margin has been less than 3 points. But here, they are favored by 1.5 points against a Lakers team that seems to have found its stride.

Both teams are without key players but the Lakers have proved they can win without LeBron while the Pelicans have struggled without Zion.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers +1.5

Lakers vs Pelicans Over/Under 

The under is 5-2 in the last 7 games played between these two teams. The total has gone over in 7 out of their last 10 games played in New Orleans.

Los Angeles Lakers over/under trends:

• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 overall
• The under is 4-0 in the Lakers’ last 4 games against a team with a losing straight-up record.
• The under is 13-3-1 in the Lakers’ last 17 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 games following an ATS loss.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 games following a straight-up loss.
• The under is 4-1-1 in the Lakers’ last 6 road games versus a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• The under is 6-2 in the Lakers’ last 8 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-2-1 in the Lakers’ last 9 games when their opponent scores 100 points in their previous game.
• The over is 26-12-1 in the Lakers’ last 39 road games against a team with a winning home record.
• The over is 5-1-1 in the Lakers’ last 7 Tuesday games.

New Orleans Pelicans over/under trends:

• The under is 6-1 in the Pelicans’ last 7 overall.
• The under is 4-0 in the Pelicans’ last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 4-0 in the Pelicans’ last 4 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The under is 6-1 in the Pelicans’ last 7 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-1 in the Pelicans’ last 7 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 5-1 in the Pelicans’ last 6 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 4-1 in the Pelicans’ last 5 games following an ATS win.
• The under is 4-1 in the Pelicans’ last 5 games following a straight-up win.
• The under is 4-1 in the Pelicans’ last 5 games following a straight-up win of more than 10 points.
• The under is 4-1 in the Pelicans’ last 5 Tuesday games.

These two teams have combined to score an average of 238.67 points per game in their three head-to-head meetings this season. But remember that the Lakers traded Westbrook and will be without LeBron James so those have impacted their scoring. The Pelicans are also without Ingram who put up 35 the last time out. Not to mention that Zion isn’t available on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles is also a much better defensive team with Jared Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley on the floor. If Anthony Davis bounces back, he should have a big defensive effort again. The under is 8-2 in L.A.’s last 10 outings.

Prediction: Under 232.5

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