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The Lakers and Pelicans are set to face off at 7:00 ET on BSNO. The Pelicans will host the game at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 229.5 points, and the Pelicans are favored to win at home against the Lakers.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5

This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 7:00 ET on Sunday, December 31st.

WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 147-131 in favor of the Pelicans.
  • Our projections have Jonas Valanciunas finishing with Jonas Valanciunas points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.2% and knocking down 13 threes.

Can Los Angeles Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?

Heading into today's game vs. the Pelicans, the Lakers are the slight 5.5-point underdogs on the road. So far, they are 17-16 and sit 9th in the Western Conference.

Against the spread, Los Angeles has covered in two straight games, but they are just 6-13 as the underdog this season. When playing on the road, the Lakers have an average scoring margin of -6.7 points per game and a record of 6-12.

Against other teams in the West, the Lakers have gone 13-10 compared to 4-6 in non-conference games. When looking at the over/under results, Los Angeles has gone 17-16 with the over/under lines averaging 229.2 points per game. Today's line of 229.5 is just slightly higher than the average over/under line for their games this season.

In terms of their straight-up performance, the Lakers are coming off a 108-106 loss to the Timberwolves. Los Angeles was able to cover the spread as 4.5-point underdogs.

In their last game, the Lakers had a tough time scoring compared to their season average of 114.4 PPG. They finished the game against the Timberwolves with 106 points and a field goal percentage of 42%. Coming into today's game, Anthony Davis is leading the team in scoring with an average of 25.2 PPG. LeBron James is right behind him, averaging 25.1 PPG.

In terms of defense, Lakers is currently on par with the NBA average for points allowed, giving up an average of 114.3 points per game. Inside the arc, the Lakers defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 52.9% and 37.4% from three-point territory.

Can the Pelicans Secure a Win at Home?

As the Pelicans get ready to host the Lakers, they are 5.5-point favorites at home. Before today's game, New Orleans is 18-14 and 7th in the Western Conference.

Against other teams in the West, the Pelicans have gone 12-12 compared to 6-2 in non-conference games. At home, New Orleans has put together a record of 10-7 this season.

So far, New Orleans has been the favorite in 18 of their 32 games and have gone 10-8. Their average scoring differential as the favorite is currently +4.4 points per game.

New Orleans' ATS record of 17-15 includes an ATS losing streak of three games at home. For the season, they have failed to cover the spread in four straight home games. Their overall over/under record for the year is 15-17, and the over has come in for them in each of their last two games.

In their most recent game, the Pelicans put up 112 points and are averaging 115.6 points per game. Brandon Ingram is the team's leading scorer, averaging 23.2 PPG, while Zion Williamson is right behind him at 22.3 PPG.

Coming into today's game, the Pelicans' defense is giving up an average of 113.1 points per contest. On two point field goal attempts, the Pelicans' defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 56.3% and allowing 33.9% from beyond the arc.