Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 2/14/2018

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 4 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 23-32. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.5 as they are averaging 107.0 points per game while giving up 109.5 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 30-26. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 110.8 points per contest and giving up 111.1, which is a point differential of -0.3.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 29-26-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 28-27-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-27-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 32-24-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

01/25/18 PG Lonzo Ball MCL is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Tyreke Evans averages 19.4 points per game in 31 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.9 assists per contest and 5 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. Kyle Kuzma comes into this contest averaging 15.7 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 70%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 18.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 5.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 79%. Anthony Davis averages 27.1 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 10.7 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 109.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Los Angeles averages 107 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.51 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.3 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 111.1 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 24.3 assists allowed per contest, and 24th with 45 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season. New Orleans is 4th in the league with 110.8 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.23. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 43.4 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 26.3. The Pelicans are 7th in turnovers per game with 15.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 107.5, and their offensive rating of 105 is ranked 19th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. Los Angeles is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 10th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink