by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Dec 06, 2023
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Thursday, December 7, 2023
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Pelicans +2, Lakers -2; Over/Under: 230 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Pelicans +2, Lakers -2; Over/Under: 230 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Pelicans +1.5, Lakers -1.5; Over/Under: 230.5 points
Season Record
New Orleans Pelicans: 12-10 (2nd place, Southwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 13-9 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
New Orleans Pelicans: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-3 last 10
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Pelicans are entering this game with a 12-10 record overall and they are 4-6 in their road games this season but they will be at a neutral site in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Sacramento Kings in their last game. Brandon Ingram led the team in points in that game with 30 while Herb Jones was next on the team with 23 points. CJ McCollum led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jonas Valančiūnas led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 54% from the field, 45.2% from 3-point range, and 82.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113.4 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 13-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-12.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 13-9 record overall and they are 9-2 in their home games this season but they will be at a neutral site in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns in their last game. LeBron James led the team in points in that game with 31 while Anthony Davis was next on the team with 27 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 11 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 37.3% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 84% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 10-12 this season and their O/U record is 9-13.
Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Pelicans listed as a 2 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This game will count as a regular season game but will also serve as one of the semi-final games for the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Pelicans have looked really good in their games this season with their 12-10 record overall but they have also been playing most of the season missing some of their players. They have been getting a lot healthier lately though and they have been a really tough team to beat lately with their lineup healthy once again. The Lakers have also looked good this season with their 13-9 record overall but they have been a lot better in their home games all season. The Lakers have been a different team in their road games this season and even though this game is at a neutral site, they are still going to struggle here. The Lakers barely beat the Suns at home in the last round as that game went right to the end with a 3 point win for the Lakers while the Pelicans went into Sacramento in their game and beat a really good Kings team on the road. The Pelicans have been one of the stronger forces in the West this season too and they haven't even been fully healthy so this team hasn't even played their best game yet. With their lineup getting a lot healthier now, everything is coming together for the Pelicans to pull off another upset here in the NBA In-Season Tournament and get to the finals. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pelicans to cover the spread in this game.
Pelicans Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Thursday, December 7, 2023 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Pelicans 120 Lakers 116.
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NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans Pelicans: 10-4 ATS as an underdog. 7-1 ATS off an upset win as an underdog. 8-4 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 38-19 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 17-6 UNDER after 2 straight games where they made 50% of their shots or better.
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-15 ATS off 2 or more consecutive home wins. 14-25 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 1-8 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 9-5 UNDER as a favorite. 4-1 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive wins. 30-23 UNDER after a game committing 10+ less turnovers than opponents.
Key Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: M. Ryan (SF) Mid Dec - Calf. L. Nance Jr. (SF) Mid Jan - Ribs.
Los Angeles Lakers: G. Vincent (SG) Mid Dec - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It’s a growth moment for us to have an opportunity to be one of the first. This is the first time we’ve had the In-Season Tournament. You put a game in front of us that’s meaningful, I don’t care who it is, where it is, we want to win. That’s the type of heart that we have in that locker room.” - Willie Green after his team’s win against the Kings in their game on Monday.
“You’ve got some of the most alpha male competitors in the world, and if you give us an opportunity to play for something meaningful or an incentive, then you get what you’re getting. The In-Season Tournament is what it is, and we have an opportunity to play on a big stage, be on national television, represent our families, our communities, where we come from.” - LeBron James on the NBA In-Season Tournament after their win against the Suns on Tuesday night.
Starting Lineups
New Orleans Pelicans
PG CJ McCollum
SG Brandon Ingram
SF Herbert Jones
PF Zion Williamson
C Jonas Valanciunas
Los Angeles Lakers
PG D'Angelo Russell
SG Cam Reddish
SF Taurean Prince
PF LeBron James
C Anthony Davis
Statistical Leaders
New Orleans Pelicans
PPG: B. Ingram (23.7)
APG: C. McCollum (6)
Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (9.1)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. James (24.7)
APG: L. James (6.6)
Reb/G: A. Davis (12.6)
Coaches:
New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (3rd season)
Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
