The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Action starts at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Apr. 8 and can be seen on TWC and FSN.
The Pelicans lost to the Celtics 104-97 on Wednesday. Tim Frazier had a good outing, putting up 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds for New Orleans. The Lakers, meanwhile, are coming off a 91-81 loss against the Clippers on Wednesday. Julius Randle stood out for Los Angeles, registering seven points, 20 rebounds, and one steal.
Frazier has really been playing well over the last five games for the Pelicans. During that stretch, he has averaged 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers.
The Pelicans could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of only 13.1%). Additionally, Los Angeles forces the third-fewest turnovers in the league (12.3%).
The Lakers have won both games against the Pelicans this season, including a close 99-96 victory in their last matchup. Anthony Davis put up 39 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pelicans come into this game 29-49 Straight Up (SU) and 35-43 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 29-49 SU and 35-43 ATS against teams from the Western Conference. The Pelicans have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 93.6 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 102.4 points per game.
On the other side, the Lakers have 16-62 SU and 36-42 ATS records. Most recently, Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games.
Los Angeles beat New Orleans in their most recent meeting this season, but the Pelicans still lead the head-to-head record, 6-4 SU, over the last 10 matchups. With a 6-4 record, the Pelicans also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – NO
Notes
“New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“New Orleans is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 18 of New Orleans’s last 22 games at home”.
“New Orleans is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing LA Lakers”.
“New Orleans is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing LA Lakers”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 5 games when playing LA Lakers”.
“New Orleans is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against LA Lakers”.
“New Orleans is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against LA Lakers”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Lakers’s last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans”.
Los Angeles ranks 29th in points per game with 97.3, while New Orleans ranks 24th in points allowed with an average of 105.7 given up.
Los Angeles scores an average of 98.0 points per away game (ranked 23rd). New Orleans ranks 27th in points allowed per home game with 106.0.
Los Angeles has an even 9-9 record in contests where it allows fewer than 100 points. The Pelicans do not perform well when scoring under 100 points, earning a 1-36 record on the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an underachieving 7-53 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-13 when they hit the century mark.
The Lakers have an offensive rating of 99.3 (ranked 29th), while the Pelicans rank 24th for their defensive rating of 107.1.
New Orleans has an average field goal percentage of 44.7%. Los Angeles is a subpar 8-48 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the New Orleans Pelicans attempt 23.0 three point field goals per game and the Los Angeles Lakers attempt 24.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, both teams have losing records; New Orleans is 12-20 and Los Angeles is 8-31.
The New Orleans Pelicans, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.68, rank 12th in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers have a lower A/TO (1.39), ranking 27th.
The Pelicans rank 22nd in rebounds per game with 42.9, while the Lakers rank 21st with 43.0 per game.
The Los Angeles Lakers rank 11th in offensive rebounding, while the New Orleans Pelicans rank 16th in defensive rebounding.
New Orleans has forced an average turnover percentage of 13.3% this season. Los Angeles has an underachieving 9-29 record when its TOV% is 13.3% or higher.
