Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Lakers NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Lakers on Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at the Crypto.com Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pelicans Lakers matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(24-36) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers (27-32)
Date: Sunday, February 27th, 2022
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans +118 | Lakers -1 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -2
NBA Betting Total: 225.5
Sunday, February 27th finds the New Orleans Pelicans facing the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time this season. The clubs will play a total of three times with New Orleans hosting the next match on March 27th and the final meeting being hosted by the Lakers on April 1st.
Both teams last played on Friday with the Pelicans routing the Suns 117-102 while the Lakers battled the Clippers losing 102-105.
All-time the Lakers hold the advantage winning 41 of 64 matches versus the Pelicans. Last season the teams played three times with the Lakers sweeping the season series.
New Orleans Pelicans
If the Pelicans are desirous of getting into the play-in tournament this game has to be earmarked as a must-win. The Lakers currently sit in the ninth seed 3.5 games up on the Pels.
Not only would that margin be narrowed to 2.5 games with a win but the teams have very different schedules to finish this campaign. The Lakers have the second hardest strength of schedule while the Pels rank 21st.
They got a valuable victory in the first game back from the break defeating the Suns and doing so convincingly. CJ McCollum is fitting in well with his new team and is already clearly taking a lead role on and off the court.
No one knows the status of Zion Williamson but it feels like this version of the Pels is playing with the mindset of Zion not returning and focusing on the players they have available instead of constantly looking over their shoulder.
New Orleans is just 2-4 since McCollum joined the team but they have an identity now and can build upon it. In those six matches, he’s averaging 29 points, six rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and is shooting 41.3% from deep on 7.7 attempts.
Eight of their next 12 games are against teams with sub .500 records so this period will likely define where they finish the season.
Larry Nance Jr. (knee) is out indefinitely. Kira Lewis Jr. (ACL) is lost for the season and Williamson (foot) continues to be away from the team as he works to come back from his surgery.
Los Angeles Lakers
Playing their fellow Crypto.com Arena residents the Lakers had a chance to win the game but couldn’t put it away which begs the question of whether LeBron James is going to be relied on to do too much while Anthony Davis is out.
Moreover, if he does shoulder the load and keeps the Lakers afloat how much will be left in those 37-year-old legs by the time the play-in tournament arrives. Because let’s be honest that’s where they’ll land.
In the loss to the Clippers, five Lakers scored in double-figures but only James broke the 20 point mark with 21 collecting a double-double with 11 rebounds. Dwight Howard also registered a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony added 18 points while Talen Horton-Tucker scored 16.
Avery Bradley (knee) is questionable to play Sunday versus the Pelicans. Anthony Davis (ankle), and Kendrick Nunn (knee) are both out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The Lakers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Orleans’ last 13 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Lakers’ last 7 games at home.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Prediction:
The Lakers struggle defensively, particularly against quality guards so this reformulated Pelicans squad could pose some real issues.
Westbrook always had a feud with Dame Lillard and CJ so it will be interesting to see whether that rivalry is present now that McCollum is with the Pels.
My head says take the Pels but my gut says the Lakers will get compensated by the whistle — and the gut wins.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Lakers ATS
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