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The New Orleans Pelicans test the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on February 25, 2020.
The Pelicans have gotten back in the playoff race behind the stellar performance of rookie Zion Williamson. This year’s top draft pick is averaging 22.8 points per game through 12 games played. The Pelicans are still in 10th place in the West but are just 3.5 games behind the 8th seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers are the top team in the West and they continue to play well. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been a problem for opposing teams and L.A. has won five straight games heading to this contest.
Four Wins in Five Games
The New Orleans Pelicans have won four out of their last five games to move to within 3.5 games off the Memphis Grizzlies who currently occupy the 8th spot in the Western Conference. This will be the last game of a three-game road trip where New Orleans has been 2-0 so far.
Zion Williamson scored 28 points and grabbed 7 rebounds while Jrue Holiday scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter of that game. Brandon Ingram also scored 17 points and issued five assists. Nicolo Melli drained six three-pointers and scored a career-high 20 points for the Dubs.
New Orleans ranks 4th overall in scoring at 116.0 points per game but they are third from last when it comes to scoring defense at 117.0 opponents points per game allowed. The Pelicans are 5th in rebounding at 46.7 boards grabbed per contest and they are 3rd in passing at 26.6 assists per game.
Five Straight Wins
The Lakers continue to dominate the Western Conference. The Purple and Gold have won five straight games and they have the best record in the West at 43-12. The Lakers are coming off a big home win against the Boston Celtics last Sunday and they are a solid 20-7 SU at home this season.
LeBron James scored 29 points and issued 9 assists while hitting the game-winning basket for the Lakers. Anthony Davis also had a monster game with 32 points and 13 rebounds against Boston. The Lakers signed veteran forward Markieff Morris and then waived big man DeMarcus Cousins who is still on the injured list.
Los Angeles ranks 7th in the league in scoring at 114.8 points per game on the year. They are also 7th in rebounding at 46.3 boards grabbed per contest and are 6th in passing at 26.2 assists per outing. The Lakers are own the 7th best scoring defense in the league at 107.4 points per game allowed.
Who Wins?
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in their last six games played. The Pelicans are 5-1 SU in their last six games played on the road. Los Angeles is 7-1 SU in their last eight games played. The Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Lakers are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Pelicans. Los Angeles is also 4-1 SU in their last five home games against New Orleans.
The Pelicans have been playing terrific basketball as of late and Zion Williamson has been a big difference-maker for them. New Orleans is making a push for the playoffs and given their offensive firepower, they can give the league’s top teams a good scare when they are in their element.
Los Angeles is the best team in the Western Conference and they have continued to prove that on the court. The Lakers have won five in a row heading to this contest. They are 20-7 at the Staples Center this season and are coming off a huge win over the Boston Celtics last Sunday.
It’s interesting to see how Zion is going to do against a massive Lakers’ frontline. When the Pelicans play the Lakers, you have to expect that the trio of Ingram, Ball, and Hart are going to be at their best against their former team. However, the Lakers have been clicking on all cylinders lately and they could parade Markieff Morris here. I like the home team to win.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Other Bets to Make
The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played. New Orleans is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games played on the road, and 4-1 ATS in their last five February games. The Lakers are 3-1 ATS in their last four games played. Los Angeles is 3-3 ATS in their last six games played at home, 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Southwest Division, and 4-2 ATS in their last six Tuesday games. Head to head, the Pelicans are 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Lakers.
Pelicans
+8 (-115)
Lakers
-8 (-105)
Odds from BetOnline as of 02/25/20
The Pelicans have gotten back in the playoff race, thanks to Zion Williamson living up to his billing as this year’s top rookie pick. The Pelicans have an explosive offense that can match up with any team in the league. However, they don’t play as well on the other side of the floor. The Lakers meanwhile are one of the best defensive teams in the league and they also have the firepower to go into a shootout if needed. I think that defense will be the difference here with the better defensive team picking up the win.
Prediction: Lakers -8
The total has gone over in four out of the last five games played by the Pelicans. New Orleans has seen the total go over in four out of their last six road games. The total has gone over in 13 out of the last 18 games played by the Lakers. The over is 9-3 in L.A.’s last dozen games against the Western Conference. Head to head, the total has gone over in four out of the last five games between these two teams.
Over
238.5 (-105)
Under
238.5 (-115)
Odds from BetOnline as of 02/25/20
The Pelicans are among the fastest teams in the league and the Lakers are one of the league’s top teams when it comes to playing in transition. New Orleans is the 4th highest-scoring team in the league and their defense is in the bottom 3. They have gone over 238 points in four out of their last five games played. Meanwhile, the Lakers have scored over 120 points in five out of their last eight games played and have scored at least 117 in seven out of their last nine outings. I think we’ll see more than enough possessions to help push the total to over.
Prediction: Over 238.5
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