If you’ve got tickets to the Los Angeles Lakers vs the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, I feel really bad for you. That is unless you like looking at superstars in their street clothes. Lebron, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore are all OUT for this one. New Orleans opened as a 2.5-point betting favorite with the total at 235.
Lakers vs Pelicans Game Center
Standout Stats
- LA is 3-6 SU and 4-5 ATS in its last nine games overall. The Lakers have, however, covered four consecutive spreads and their last three as an underdog. However, LA is 3-6 SU and 2-7 ATS in its last nine games vs New Orleans.
- Anthony Davis is listed as probable for today’s game as he manages a back injury that has kept him out of the last two Pelicans’ games. The Brow has not played more than 22 minutes in a game since before the all-star break and has been consistently at the 21-22 minute mark.
- With so many players out, Julius Randle has been the offensive catalyst for New Orleans. He is averaging 24.4 points per game in March – his highest scoring month of the season.
- The Lakers have played to the UNDER in seven of their last 10 games and are actually one of the NBA’s best UNDER bets this season at 29-46-1. With so many players missing from the offense, it’s worth taking a look at the UNDER again today. The Lakers have played to more than 235 points just twice in their last 10 games.
- The Lakers are scoring 110.1 points per game in March. That’s the No. 21 scoring offense in the Association. New Orleans is No. 9 at 114.6. Both teams are in the bottom eight of the NBA in point differential this month and are a combined 9-20 SU.
- The Pelicans have played with the highest-ranked pace in the NBA in March with 106.6 possessions per game. LA is No. 8 at 102.1. Both teams are shooting around 46 percent in March and are in the bottom eight teams in terms of offensive rating.
My Best Bet for Lakers vs Pelicans
UNDER 235 Points
These teams have played to the OVER in their last two games, however, they had full rosters and excellent shooting numbers in both of those situations.
With so many star players watching this game from the sidelines, not to mention the disarray that both teams have been in for most of the season, I’m leaning to the side of there not being much offense to go around and fading a high total like 235.
