Pelicans vs. Lakers NBA Preview & Pick
Wednesday, February 27 at 10:30 PM ET
STAPLES Center
Coverage: ESPN
LINE: Lakers -5.5; O/U: 239
The Los Angeles Lakers clash with the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, desperate to get a win. The Lakers are just 4-9 since Lonzo Ball went out with an injury, losing by an average of 16.8 points per game and they’re now three games behind the Spurs for eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
Recent Takeaways
The Pelicans are coming off a tough 111-110 home loss against the 76ers last Monday, when their late comeback came up just short. The Pelicans outscored the Sixers 27-18 in the fourth quarter but poor 3-point shooting on the night cost them. The Pels did force 19 turnovers but they won’t beat the Lakers going 5-for-28 (17.9 percent) from beyond the arc again.
After losing 110-105 against the Grizzlies last Monday, the Lakers are now 1-4 in their last five games, including a 128-115 road loss against the Pelicans last Saturday.
Brandon Ingram led the way in Memphis with 32 points and six rebounds, LeBron James had a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists and Kyle Kuzma added 22 points but the rest of the team combined for 27 points (14 from Reggie Bullock) and the Grizzlies outrebounded the Lakers 62-48.
X-Factor
After losing to the Grizzlies LeBron James said: “If you’re still allowing distractions to affect the way you play, this is the wrong franchise to be a part of and you should just come in and be like, ‘Listen, I can’t do this.'”
James certainly wasn’t referring to Brandon Ingram, who’s one of the few Lakers playing like he’s trying to get to the playoffs.
Ingram in February (eight games): 21.1 points on 49.6% FG’s, 41.2% 3’s, 76.4% FT’s, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists.
Last three games: 29.3 points on 56.6% FG’s, 60% 3’s and 75.9% FT’s, 8.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
NBA Trends:
The New Orleans Pelicans are:
6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss
6-2 ATS in their last eight games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game
8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game
The Los Angeles Lakers are:
6-13-2 ATS in their last 21 home games against a team with a losing road record
1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a losing straight up record
1-5 ATS in their last six games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game
1-5 ATS in their last six games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game
These two teams met on Saturday and the Pelicans beat the Lakers 128-115 in New Orleans, without Anthony Davis. Jrue Holiday hit five 3-pointers and scored 27 points and former Laker Julius Randle had 24 points. Randle also played well against the 76ers, scoring 19 points and he needs to have a big game in Los Angeles if the Pelicans want to beat the Lakers again.
Brandon Ingram carried the Lakers with 29 points but the Pelicans forced 23 turnovers and led most of the game and by as many as 20 points.
It will be interesting to see the reaction that Anthony Davis gets from the Los Angeles crowd if he plays, the Lakers clearly want him and their fans will make sure he knows.
Davis can still be a difference-maker in this game, he had 18 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes against the 76ers last Monday and although the Pelicans will reportedly keep cutting his playing time, he’s productive with the minutes he gets and it wouldn’t surprise if New Orleans wins this game outright.
NBA Pick: Pelicans +5.5 (-110) at Jazz Sports
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Check odds here: Jazz Sports