For the third time in franchise history, the Los Angeles Lakers embark on another journey into the NBA's play-in tournament with the hope of securing an official postseason berth. On this occasion, they'll need to defeat Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
Let's put together a same-game parlay and win some money.
(Related Link) Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Play-In Tournament: Betting Odds, Preview
LeBron. Zion. Lakers. Pelicans.
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024
WIN TO GET IN.
The West's 7th seed is on the line... #SoFiPlayIn action tips tomorrow night at 7:30pm/et on TNT. pic.twitter.com/yzFlbpD1wh
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Same-Game Parlay (April 16, 2024)
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers ATS +1 | -110 |
| LeBron James OVER 26.5 Points | -120 |
| Trey Murphy III OVER 2.5 Made 3-Pointers | -128 |
| Overall | +429 |
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 1: Los Angeles Lakers ATS -1
Oddsmakers were, at one point, giving the slightest of edges to the visiting Lakers based on their history in this format and locking in the seventh seed in the Western Conference, which they've accomplished twice before. As Tuesday progressed, the odds shifted to make Los Angeles the narrow underdog, which they're 18-18 ATS and 15-21 as this season.
It also helps to know that Los Angeles won three out of four meetings with the Pelicans in 2023-24, including the finale in New Orleans by 16 points.
Insane or not, something a number of basketball media members have presented as somewhat of a conspiracy theory in recent days is the Lakers potentially mailing it in for this game, as the winner would then have to battle the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in the opening round. Los Angeles got swept in the 2023 conference finals by Denver and lost this year's season series 3-0, as well.
There's a massive risk involved with such an undertaking, as the loser of Lakers-Pelicans would then have to face the winner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup, and Los Angeles is just 1-7 this season against both squads. Rather than tempt fate, let's take the Lakers here to book their ticket to the Mile High City to face their demons in Denver sooner rather than later.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 2: LeBron James OVER 26.5 Points
If the Lakers truly are adamant about handing this game over to the Pelicans, which I seriously doubt they are, then they'll need to convince LeBron James to take his foot off the gas, which won't be easy for the proud and powerful superstar.
James has New Orleans' number this season, averaging 28.3 points on 55.1 percent shooting and 60.1 percent from 3-point range, along with 6.3 rebounds, 11.8 assists, and 1.5 steals across four appearances.
Oddsmakers have his player prop total at 26.5 points, which James exceeded in three out of the four games against New Orleans and in each of his last three regular-season appearances. If the score is tight in the fourth quarter, the 39-year-old superstar may enter takeover mode offensively, which would only help bettors and this same-game parlay as a whole.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 3: Trey Murphy III OVER 2.5 Made 3-Pointers
On the Pelicans side, Trey Murphy III lived up to his name (Trey, III, it writes itself) as a 3-point marksman over his last 11 games, converting 42.4 percent of his attempts while knocking down 3.5 per game.
He'll need to make at least three to hit the OVER against Los Angeles, which Murphy III accomplished in each of the Pelicans' final five games.
Now he only did that once this season against the Lakers in three games, but he totaled fewer than 23 minutes of action in the two he didn't. Murphy III averaged the second-most minutes on the roster over the last 15 games at 35.8, so his playing time shouldn't hold him back from reaching the OVER here.
