NBA Betting – Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another significant blow when LeBron James injured his ankle joining Anthony Davis on the sideline. The team will have to stay afloat in the meantime and that means working with an unfamiliar lineup. With James missing his second game of the season the Lakers succumbed to Phoenix on Sunday, their second straight loss putting them further behind the upstart Suns. Coming off an impressive win over Denver, the New Orleans Pelicans look to make it two in a row as they attempt to make up ground in the Western Conference race.  Bookmaker.eu offers a generous CASH welcome bonus (max bonus $1600).

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Opening NBA Odds: Pelicans -5.5, O/U 222
Lakers at Pelicans TV Coverage: TNT

Odds Analysis

Playing without LeBron the Lakers were a 10-point dog in their matchup with Phoenix on Sunday. They failed to cover the line in a 111-94 setback, leaving them at 0-2 in games James has missed this season. And the outlook for a quick return isn’t positive as the club announced James would miss “significant time.” While that may hurt them and backers now, it could benefit LA in the long run. They are going to make the playoffs and if both LeBron and AD come back healthy there could be another long playoff run in their future. The Lakers are currently 28-15 SU and 21-22 ATS while boasting the most road wins in the NBA. This might be the best chance for the Pelicans to end their seven-game losing streak to the Lakers. Coming off a 113-108 win at Denver as a 6.5-point dog should be a momentum builder. But we’ve seen the Pels crash after huge wins recently. They beat Utah at the start of the month then lost three straight. They whooped the Clippers just over a week ago then lost two straight at Portland. They just can’t seem to get it right.

Los Angeles Lakers

According to Frank Vogel not much is going to change as far as the game plan. The only difference is that James won’t be around to help execute it, and that’s an even bigger loss than having AD on the pine. James injured his ankle in a game against the Hawks last week and the Lakers had their four-game winning streak snapped with a 99-94 setback. Without LeBron for Sunday’s tilt against the Suns, LA never had a chance falling 111-94. Without James and his 25 points per game the Lakers struggled offensively shooting just 41 percent from the field. They had a hard time figuring things out initially when AD went down and we’re likely to see more of the same. “It’s going to take a little time as we adjust, figure out where the shots are coming from and our new identity is going to look like,” coach Frank Vogel said.

They figured out how to win without AD going 4-0 SU and ATS in the first four post All-Star break games. And the Lakers have enjoyed all kinds of success against the Pels winning seven straight going 4-2-1 ATS. The club made an effort during the offseason to strengthen the bench and it’s time for those guys to step up with the marquee performers on the shelf. “We have enough offensive firepower and we have a defensive mentality with our group so to me we have enough to win,” Vogel added.

New Orleans Pelicans

It’s been a wacky season for the Pels, who just in the past few weeks have huge wins over the NBA-best Jazz and West contenders Denver and the Clippers. They also have head-scratching losses to Chicago and a 30-point blowout administered by the NBA-worst Timberwolves. The Pels can score points in a hurry with a number of offensively-gifted players. But that also takes a toll on their defense. They average 115.3 points while surrendering 115.2 per game. That’s led to the OVER going 29-13 this season. The OVER is also 5-1 in the last six games between the teams in the Big Easy.

New Orleans has some injury concerns as well. Lonzo Ball missed the last game and J.J. Redick remains on the shelf with a foot injury. Against the Nuggets Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram picked up the slack, just like you’d expect from your top players. Both went for 30 points with Ingram also dishing out eight assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 points as the Pels snapped a two-game overall slide.

Bet Lakers at Pelicans at BookMaker.eu

It’s hard to have a lot of confidence in the Pelicans considering how inconsistent they’ve been. And how do you back the Lakers without AD and now LeBron? It took LA a few games to get over the loss of Davis and with James out the Pels are in a good position to win. The duo of Williamson and Ingram can light it up and the Pels defense should be aided without two superstars. I’ll have to back the home team while LA gets its house in order.

NBA Score Prediction: Pelicans 113, Lakers 104

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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com