New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will conclude on Sunday night with an intriguing Western Conference matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers. Coverage begins from Crypto.com Arena at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Pelicans 116, Lakers 114

Best Bets

Over 225.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Pelicans vs. Lakers Predictions

After finishing seventh in the West with a record of 42-30 SU last year, the Lakers kept that same ball rolling with another frustrating start to this season, as L. A. opened with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS skid – which was primarily attributed to growing pains associated with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point though, considering L. A. enters Sunday riding a bumpy 16-21 SU and 18-19 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 23 of those matchups.

On the other hand, New Orleans posted a similarly disappointing start to the season, as the Pelicans kicked things off with an underwhelming 14-26 SU and 18-22 ATS skid – with 16 of those SU losses coming by 10+ PTS.

New Orleans has gradually drifted towards mediocrity since mid-January though, considering the Pelicans enter Sunday riding a relatively solid 10-10 SU and 11-8-1 ATS stretch – while scoring just 109.3 OPPG and allowing 107.9 DPPG across that window.

I’ll take the over here, as Sunday’s nightcap should be a competitive high-scoring battle between a Lakers squad that’s allowing 112.7 DPPG across their latest 3-7 SU skid – and a Pelicans squad that’s scored 114+ PTS in four of their last five matchups (115.6 OPPG).

Pelicans vs. Lakers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Pelicans vs. Lakers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Southwest vs. Pacific
• Date: Sunday, February 27, 2022
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Analysis

• SU: 24-36
• ATS: 29-30-1
• O/U: 23-35-2

After finishing 11^th in the West with a record of 31-41 SU last year, the Pelicans’ struggles have ultimately persisted at a similar rate throughout this season, considering New Orleans enters Sunday ranked 12^th in the conference straight-up and against the spread with a record of 24-36 SU and ATS.

The Pelicans’ shortcomings aren’t all that surprising, considering New Orleans currently ranks 23^rd in the league in offensive efficiency and 22^nd in defensive efficiency (1.062 OE, 1.091 DE) – which is a recipe for consistent failure. Help recently arrived in the form of CJ McCollum though, highlighted by the former Blazer averaging 29 PPG, 6 REB, and 5.2 AST since joining New Orleans at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

• SU: 27-32
• ATS: 26-33
• O/U: 32-26-1

Regardless of the circumstances, stooping below .500 is undeniably a disappointment for this year’s Lakers squad, but to be fair, they’ve been banged up from the start, so it’s tough to write them off completely, considering LeBron James has missed 17 games so far this season – while Anthony Davis has missed 22, and AD’s slated to miss at least another month with a mid-foot sprain.

There’s still plenty of time for the Lakers to turn things around and push for higher seeding; they just need to get healthy first, and ultimately, shoot the ball better, considering L. A. ranks 24^th in offensive efficiency and 11^th in scoring (1.058 OE, 110.8 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 16^th in defensive efficiency (1.073 DE).

Pelicans vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

The Lakers won two-of-three regular-season matchups against New Orleans last year, with both of L. A.’s wins staying under the total at an average of 207.5 PPG – while the Pelicans’ lone victory soared over with a score of 128-111.

Key Players to Watch

• NOP: Brandon Ingram - SF (22.2 PPG, 5.7 REB, 5.4 AST)
• NOP: CJ McCollum - SG (21.7 PPG, 4.5 REB, 4.6 AST)
• LAL: LeBron James - SF (28.9 PPG, 8 REB, 6.4 AST)
• LAL: Russell Westbrook - PG (18.3 PPG, 7.7 REB, 7.4 AST)

Pelicans vs. Lakers Betting Conclusion

After stomping the Suns in Phoenix in their first matchup following the All-Star Break (W, 117-102), the Pelicans hit the road again on Sunday night as short underdogs against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena – marking just the fifth time L. A. has been favored across their last 12 games.

I’ll take the over here, as Sunday’s matchup should be an up-tempo back and forth battle between a Lakers squad that’s averaging 111 OPPG and 112.7 DPPG across their latest 3-7 SU skid – and a Pelicans squad that’s allowed 120+ PTS in three of their last five games (112.4 DPPG).

Pelicans vs. Lakers Betting Trends

• The Pelicans are 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
• The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five matchupa against New Orleans.
• The total has gone UNDER in nine of the last 13 Pelicans' games.
• The Lakers are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson