Pelicans vs Lakers Picks and Predictions: The Brow is Back for a Hollywood Ending

The expectation is that Anthony Davis will be making his return to the Los Angeles Lakers when they take on his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, at Crypto.com Arena tonight. This is a game that has serious postseason implications, as the Lakers need a victory to keep their play-in hopes alive. 

Will Los Angeles get back in the win column after four losses in a row? Check out our NBA betting picks and predictions for Pelicans vs. Lakers to find out. 

Pelicans vs Lakers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Pelicans were 2-point favorites when this game became available for bettors, and the line can be found at either 2 or 2.5 at the time of this writing. The total, which opened at 231.5, has dropped down to either 230 or 230.5.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Pelicans vs Lakers predictions

• Prediction: Lakers +2.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 230.5 (-109)
• Best bet: Lakers +2.5 (-110)

Predictions made on 04/01/2022 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Pelicans vs Lakers game info

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Friday, April 1, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBATV

Pelicans vs Lakers betting preview

Key injuries

Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr. G (Out), Zion Williamson F (Out).
Lakers: LeBron James F (Questionable), Anthony Davis F (Questionable), Wenyen Gabriel F (Probable), Kendrick Nunn G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Lakers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games playing the second night of a back-to-back. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Lakers.

Pelicans vs Lakers picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

Oddly enough, Los Angeles has covered the spread in five of its last seven games in which the team hasn’t had a day to rest. The Lakers now look poised to do so again, as they’re seemingly getting both Anthony Davis and LeBron James back for this contest. With both presumably back in the mix, the push for a playoff spot can finally begin for Los Angeles, and it will happen with this team looking the way it was intended when LeBron and General Manager Rob Pelinka put it together. 

The Pelicans are a very well-coached team — and got a lot more talented when they added CJ McCollum — but they don’t have a lot of answers for the lineup the Lakers will be throwing out there tonight. Jonas Valanciunas has been one of the better post players in the league, but Los Angeles will likely turn to its lineup with Davis at center rather quickly. As one of the NBA's premier defenders, Davis should be able to hold his own on the inside in that matchup. Furthermore should also be able to dominate the slow-footed Valanciunas on offense. He’ll also be able to pull the big man away from the basket, which will open things up for LeBron and Russell Westbrook to attack the rim. 

The Lakers also have some role players who could step up and play well. With Davis back, guys like Austin Reaves and Malik Monk should have more room than ever to operate. Both players can hit open shots, but they’re also sneaky good when attacking the rim. 

Also, for as bad as Los Angeles has been on the defensive end this year, a lot of that can change if Davis is truly healthy again. He’s one of the most versatile defenders in the league, capable of switching onto guards and holding his own on the perimeter. His weakside shot-blocking ability also makes up for a lot of the mistakes that happen in front of him. 

Overall, even if not much separates these teams right now, Los Angeles is going to have a ton of energy. The Lakers should ultimately win this one outright. 

Prediction: Lakers +2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

Over/Under analysis

The Pelicans surprisingly rank 17th in the NBA in defensive rating, which is aided by the fact that they are 10th in that category over their last 10 games. Head coach Willie Green has done a nice job helping this New Orleans squad play sound basketball on that end of the floor, even with a few rotation players who have been lousy defenders in the past. Meanwhile, with Davis back in the mix, Los Angeles figures to improve on the defensive end moving forward. With that in mind, this game should be a little more of a defensive battle than fans might think. 

These teams also rank in the middle of the league in pace of play. Additionally, it also doesn’t hurt that the Under is 13-3-1 in the last 17 road games the Pelicans have played. It’s also 5-2 in the last seven games that the Lakers have played as home underdogs. 

Prediction: Under 230.5 (-109 at TwinSpires)

Best bet

The Pelicans and Lakers both desperately need to win this game, so you should expect this one to be played with playoff-like intensity. The only problem for New Orleans is that Davis' return is going to give Los Angeles a ton of energy, and it should also have Lakers fans buzzing. There hasn’t been much for them to get excited about this season, but this game is going to bring some hope back to Hollywood. 

New Orleans has also failed to cover in two of its last three games, so it's not like the team is performing up to expectations right now. The Pelicans are also just 30-38 both SU and ATS when playing in a game with a line of +3 to -3 over the last three seasons. On top of that, the Lakers are 9-7 ATS when facing a team they lost to in their previous meeting. 

There’s also just the complete mismatch in talent, which is important in a game that is essentially a pick’em. New Orleans has some very good basketball players, but Los Angeles has the two best players on the court in LeBron and Davis. 

Pick: Lakers +2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

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