New Orleans at Los Angeles

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.