New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 4.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans have a record of 15-17. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.3 as they average 116.7 points per game while giving up 115.3 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 18-13 this season. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They average 113.3 points per game and surrender 111.7, good for a point differential of 1.6.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 14-17-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-15-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 12-18-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-18-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/19/18 G Ian Clark Ankle is questionable Friday vs LA Lakers
12/19/18 F Julius Randle Ankle is questionable Friday vs LA Lakers
12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/19/18 SF Brandon Ingram Ankle is questionable Friday vs New Orleans
12/19/18 C JaVale McGee Flu is questionable Friday vs New Orleans
12/16/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is out indefinitely
11/15/18 PG Rajon Rondo Hand is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 20.7 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 28.0 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 12.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

LeBron James averages 28.0 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.9 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Kyle Kuzma averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.8 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 116.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.3 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 47.2 rebounds per game and 27.2 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 14.9 per game. The Pelicans allow 115.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 20th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 25.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the league with 113.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.2 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 24.1. The Lakers are 6th in turnovers per game with 15.3. The Lakers surrender 111.7 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.6, and their defensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. New Orleans is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Lakers are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 108.2, and their offensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 10th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +4.5

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