New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 1/3/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Friday, January 3, 2020

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -11.5

Total/Over-Under: 226.5

Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans (11-23, 5th in the Southwest Division) go to Staples Center on Friday where they'll take on the Los Angeles Lakers (27-7, 1st in the Pacific Division). New Orleans opens this game as 11.5 point underdogs. The total is set at 226.5.

The Pelicans are covering the spread 42.4% of the time, having gone 14-19-1 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 52.9% of the time, going 18-16-0 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/18/19 PF Zion Williamson Knee is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this game averaging 19.9 points per contest while playing 35.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 69%. Brandon Ingram averages 25.3 points per contest in 34.1 minutes per game. He averages 3.9 assists per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis scores 27.3 points per contest while playing 35.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.3 rebounds per contest and has 3.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. LeBron James averages 25.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.7 rebounds per game and has 10.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 112.3 points per contest, which is 10th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They average 45.7 boards per contest and 24.9 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 15.7 per game. The Pelicans allow 116.4 points per contest, which is 28th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they allow 24.7 assists per game which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the NBA with 112.6 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.24. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.1 boards per contest and 7th in assists per game with 26.1. The Lakers are 15th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Lakers give up 105.3 points per game, which ranks them 4th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.1 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 41.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 26th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 112.2, and their offensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 24th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 15th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA. New Orleans is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 15th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 24th in the league. The Lakers are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles -11.5

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