Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Point Spread Picks

The records show the Lakers at 36-24 and the Pelicans at 19-43. But don't be fooled by this. The Pelicans are that rare NBA bottom-feeder that is not tanking. New Orleans is 6-3 SU and ATS in its last nine games. New Orleans should be up for this game, too, in a triple-revenge situation. After losing three in a row, the Lakers are back to being fat and happy off blowout victories against the Kings and Warriors. LA has a much bigger game on deck, meeting the Nuggets in Denver in two days. So this is both a letdown and a lookahead spot for the Lakers. Star forward Zion Williamson is expected to play after missing the Pelicans' last game with a slight ankle injury. The return of point guard Dejounte Murray has sparked New Orleans, too. He has played in the past four games after missing the season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Take the Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans have the worst record in the NBA Western Conference at 8-29. The LA Lakers have had a strange, but telling season. The Lakers' overall record this season is 22-11. The issue is that they are even with their opponents in scoring margin on the season. Those numbers would point to a team that should be .500 on the season. The Pelicans won five straight games in December, but have now lost their last six. There's value here against a Lakers team that is not playing well. I'm betting New Orleans on the moneyline.

It is easy to see why the Lakers are such a heavy favorite against the Pelicans. New Orleans is 3–16 after a 104-96 road loss to Golden State on Saturday. LA is 14–4 overall - 4-0 since LeBron James returned - and on a six-game winning streak. But going beneath the surface, there are compelling reasons to back the Pelicans at such a high point spread. New Orleans is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games, including covering as a 10-point underdog against the Warriors yesterday. One of the Pelicans' non-covers during this time frame was two games ago when they lost to the Grizzlies by five points in overtime as 3.5-point underdogs. New Orleans also is 5-2 ATS in its last seven away games. The Pelicans were idle for two days before playing the Warriors on Saturday. The Lakers are off an emotional, 129-119, home win against the Mavericks and former teammate Anthony Davis this past Friday. LA has a bigger game on Monday hosting the Suns. Because of that James may not play. The Lakers are listing him as questionable with a foot injury. Take the Pelicans.