Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (+5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (-5); total: 217.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TWSN / FSNO
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Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (+5)
LA takes another go at the Pelicans this season. Both teams met earlier this month, during which the purple and gold won by a landslide, 126-99. But this time, Luke Walton will be playing with a depleted lineup as D’Angelo Russell (knee) and Julius Randle (hip) remain sidelined.
Injuries have really hurt the Lakers, who have lost four of their last six games (2-4 ATS). They did, however, bounce back at home on Sunday night, beating the Hawks—109-94—to complete the season sweep.
Once again, the NBA’s highest-scoring bench dominated the game, putting up 65 points, including 38 points combined from Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson. Both will continue leading the offense without Russell and Randle.
On defense, the Lakers are still terrible. They’re giving away 110.9 points per game, the fourth-most in the league. It was nice to see them hold Atlanta below 100 points, though. If they can do that again, then LA should make it two in a row versus New Orleans.
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans (-5)
The Lakers were the last team that defeated the Pelicans at home, and you can bet New Orleans is desperate for some revenge this evening.
The Pelicans started the season without Jrue Holiday, winning just two of its first 10 games. But now with him back, they’ve won four of their previous two, including three big wins over Atlanta, Charlotte and Portland. The former All-star guard is posting 16.3 points and dishing out 6.5 dimes per contest through six games.
Holiday’s presence has really given the team not just another scorer, but somebody else who can create plays for others and provide some much-needed support for Anthony Davis, who’s been single-handedly carrying the team on his shoulders this season. Davis is averaging 31.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
New Orleans, however, is usually vulnerable once either Holiday or Davis is off the court. The Lakers’ second unit, as mentioned earlier, is the best in the NBA, so it’s up to the Pelicans’ own bench to respond. The pair of Buddy Hield and Langston Galloway dropped 18 and 12 points, respectively, in the first game with LA.
Writer’s Prediction
New Orleans (-5) wins it, 112-108.
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