The team that currently holds the best record in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers (43-12), who are 7-1 in their last 8 games, are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans (25-32), who are 5-1 in their last 6 and have climbed on the 10th place of the conference, 3½ games behind the Grizzlies and the 8th and final playoff place of the West.
Date/Time: 02-25-2020, 22:00 EDT / 03:00 GMT
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -8 Total: +238.5
Los Angeles Lakers have a 43-12 record (29-25-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the first place of the West. They have won seven of their last eight matches and in their last game they won at home against the Celtics with a 114-112 score, not beating the odds. Anthony Davis leads the team both in scoring with 26.8 ppg and in rebounding with 9.4 per game. He isHe isLeBron James follows with 25.2 ppg, adding 7.7 rebounds and a league-best 10.7 assists per game.
New Orleans Pelicans have a 25-32 record (30-25-2 against the spread) and are sitting in the 10th place of the West. They have won five of their last six matches and in their last game they won on the road against the Warriors with a 115-101 score, beating the odds. Brandon Ingram leads the team in scoring with 24.5 ppg, adding 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Zion Williamson follows with 22.8 ppg, adding 7.2 rebounds per game.
Lakers have won both previous meetings against the Pelicans this season. At home by 10 points and on the road by 4. Lakers are 20-7 at home, while the Pelicans are 14-15 on the road. Pelicans are better offensively, scoring 116 ppg to Lakers’ 114.8, while Lakers are better defensively, allowing 107.4 ppg to Pelicans’ 117. Lakers have a better field goal percentage (48.7% to 46.2%), while Pelicans have a better 3-point percentage (37.6% to 36.2%). Pelicans are slightly better both in rebounding (46.7 to 46.3) and in assists made (26.6 to 26.2), while Lakers are better in turnovers committed (15.1 to 16). Pelicans have been playing much better lately but they don’t pose a threat in LA, so pick the Lakers in this one.
Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -8 (-106)