LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are making a push for a top-three seed in the Western Conference, and they have a favorable matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
New Orleans has shut down CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson for the season while Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones have all been ruled out for the year already due to injury.
That sets the Lakers up well as home favorites – a spot they’ve thrived – on the second night of a back-to-back. Los Angeles is coming off against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday that dropped it back into the No. 4 seed in the West.
Here’s a breakdown of the odds, players to watch in the prop market and my prediction for this Western Conference battle.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Spread
Moneyline
Total
Pelicans Injury Report
Lakers Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers Best NBA Prop Bet
This season, Reaves is averaging 20.1 points per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Lakers star could see an expanded role on Friday night with the team playing the second night of a back-to-back, as it’s possible J.J. Redick and company will rest LeBron James or Luka Doncic in what should be a very winnable game.
Reaves has at least 20 points in 10 of his last 12 games and is averaging 26.3 points per game over that stretch.
Before betting on this game, it’ll be important to check the Lakers’ injury report to see if they’re sitting any of their star players, but I lean with Los Angeles to cover the spread regardless against a tanking New Orleans team.
Most of the Pelicans’ top rotation players are sitting out of this game, and New Orleans is just 3-7 straight up in its last 10 games.
All season long, the Pels have struggled as road underdogs, going 11-19 against the spread – one of the five-worst ATS records in the NBA.
Meanwhile, despite yesterday’s loss, the Lakers are 19-11 against the spread when favored at home – the fourth-best mark in the NBA. I’d be shocked to see Los Angeles struggle against a Pelicans team that has a net rating of -13.3 points over its last 10 games.
Pick: Lakers -13.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
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