Highly-publicized trade talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans regarding superstar big man Anthony Davis reached a fever pitch prior to the February 14 deadline, but the 25-year-old remains a member of the Pelicans despite his frustration with the franchise. The Lakers and Pelicans will collide in New Orleans tonight, where Sportsbooks opened the Pelicans as 4-point home underdogs with a total of 230.5.
- The favorite is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings between the Lakers and Pelicans.
- The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between the Lakers and Pelicans.
- The OVER is 4-1 in the last five matchups between the Lakers and Pelicans in New Orleans.
Lakers vs Pelicans Game Center
Standout Stats
- As of Saturday morning, Davis’ status for tonight’s game is up in the air. The Kentucky product told reporters on Friday that it’s up to the Pelicans whether he’ll see the floor or not. Acting general manager Danny Ferry said the plan is to play Davis for 20-25 minutes per game, as he played 20 minutes on Friday vs the Pacers while scoring 15 points.
- The Lakers, who trail the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers by three games for the final Western Conference playoff spot, are in danger of missing the playoffs. A LeBron James-led team hasn’t missed the postseason since 2004-05 - his second season in the NBA. James is averaging 24 points, 10.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists in six games since missing 17 due to a groin injury.
- Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday scored 14 points in New Orleans’ 126-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday. It’s the third time in the last four games he’s been held below his average of 20.9 points per game and is 11-for-47 from 3-point range in eight February contests.
- L.A. snapped a three-game losing streak in the series by winning the first of four meetings this season in a 112-104 triumph on December 21 thanks to 22 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds from James. The third encounter between the clubs is Wednesday at Staples Center.
- Betting on underdogs hasn’t been a profitable endeavor in this series. In the past seven meetings between the Lakers and Pelicans, the favorite is 7-0 ATS. The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in the previous seven matchups between the clubs.
My best bet for Lakers-Pelicans
OVER 230.5
I don’t trust either of these teams right now, so I’m going to avoid the spread as I can see this coming down to a last-second cover for either side. Neither side has been playing great defense of late and the OVER is trending in this series. The OVER is 4-1 in the past five matchups between the Lakers and Pelicans in Louisiana, and I’m banking on that trend continuing tonight despite the high 230.5 number. Take the OVER.
