Lakers @ Pelicans - Preview, Pick & Props

The Lakers visit the Pelicans on Saturday night but could be without Russell Westbrook (illness) and LeBron James (ankle), while New Orleans is still without Zion Williamson (hamstring). 

The Lakers are working on a two-game winning streak after wins at Indy and New York, and will be slight underdogs against the struggling Pelicans tonight. The Lakers got a one-point win on Thursday when Anthony Davis went off for 31 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and two blocks on 13-of-27 shooting against the Pacers. LeBron James hit 11-of-19 shots and two 3-pointers for 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Dennis Schroder had 12 points, six rebounds and five dimes, and Russell Westbrook had 10 points and 10 assists against the Pacers. As usual, LeBron (knee) and Davis (foot) are on the injury report and it sounds like both of them are likely to play. Westbrook is sick and is questionable for tonight’s game. If he’s out you can look for Schroder to have an expanded role tonight.

When they met earlier this season in November, Zion Williamson (hamstring) had 27 points and C.J. McCollum scored 22 with nine points and eight assists in a 120-117 overtime loss. Lonnie Walker, who had six points in 18 minutes on Thursday, led the Lakers with 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting in a start and 40 minutes. LeBron and AD both had 20 points and double-doubles, Troy Brown scored 15 points with 10 rebounds, and Westbrook had 13 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. The Lakers have a different look these days and should have a starting five of AD, Rui Hachimura, LeBron, Patrick Beverley and Schroder tonight. 

The Pelicans are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak without Zion and badly need a home win tonight. They’re starting to get healthy as Brandon Ingram had 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in Thursday’s loss to Dallas, McCollum hit 9-of-14 shots for 19 points and eight assists without shooting a free throw, and Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy each scored nine points in the starting lineup, Larry Nance had 10 points and 12 boards off the bench and Naji Marshall scored 11, also off the bench. 

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McCollum is going to probably have to score more and get to the line if the Pelicans are going to snap the losing streak tonight. Additionally, Nance and Ingram will be facing their former team and may have some extra motivation to produce this evening. 

Top Oddscrowd betting performer MarySD likes the Lakers moneyline tonight and if LeBron plays, we like the Lakers to keep their winning streak alive, while extending the Pelicans’ losing streak. 

Pick: Lakers +1.5

Prop 1: Anthony Davis Over 38.5 points and rebounds

Prop 2: LeBron James Over 44.5 points, rebounds and assists

Prop 3: C.J. McCollum over 23.5 points