basketball | Wednesday, November 2, 2022 2:22 PM (Revised at: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 2:25 PM)

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet: Pelicans Keep Rolling in LA

Milan Stanojic

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet: Wednesday, November 2nd

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at Crypto.com Arena at 01:30 (UK time). Historically, the Lakers have dominated this match-up, but the tables have turned and the Pelicans are heading into this one as favourites to win. Will the Lakers bounce back from their poor start to the season with their second win in a row, or will the Pelicans continue rolling?

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Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview

Thu, Nov 3rd. 01:30 (UK time)

The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting 14th in the Western Conference with 5 losses and a single win. They started the season on a 5-game losing streak, but have managed to finally get their first win of the season on Sunday, defeating the Denver Nuggets by 121-110. This will be the second of their 4-game homestand, and they will go on to face the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers after tonight. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as ‘Game Time Decision’ for tonight, whilst Thomas Bryant, Schroeder and Toscano-Anderson are out.

It’s safe to say that the Los Angeles Lakers are in very poor form. Despite being the fastest team in the league with a pace rating of 105.25, the Lakers are 29th in points per game with an average of just 105.3. Their 3-point shooting since the start of the season has been dismal, making just 26.6% of their shots from beyond the arc and ranking them dead last in the NBA. That said, their defence has been solid, allowing 110.5 points per game and keeping opponents to 33.5% from behind the 3-point line. They have been the third-worst team against the spread so far, covering in just 1 of their 6 games, and I expect this trend to continue.

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a completely different experience in the 2022/23 regular season. They’ve more than justified their B+ grade in my betting value report cards article before the season started, winning 4 of their 6 games and sitting 5th in the Western Conference. They’ve done this whilst facing some solid competition like the Mavericks, Suns and Clippers. The C.J. McCollum trade has turned out to be a bullseye, and the Pelicans have assembled a very dangerous team that can give a lot of contenders headaches come playoff time. Brandon Ingram is listed as out for tonight with a concussion.

Furthermore, the Pelicans have been the top-scoring team in the NBA this year, averaging 118.5 points per game and ranking 3rd in offensive rating. The 27.7 assists per game stat is very encouraging, and despite the team’s mediocre 3-point shooting at times, they are one of the most efficient offences in the league. Their defence hasn’t exactly been elite though, allowing 111.3 points per game and averaging just 3.7 blocks. Still, they’ve managed to cover the spread in 4 of their 6 games to start the season, and I expect them to get the job done tonight as well.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet

The hosts are listed at 2.40 odds to win whilst the visitors are available at 1.63. The spread is set at just 3 points and I see this as generous. The Lakers have been in terrible form this season and until they can make a major change in their roster, I don’t expect them to bounce back.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have a solid team with multiple reliable scorers and good team chemistry. I’m backing the Pels to get the job done and cover the -3.0 point spread at 1.97 odds.