Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Free NBA Pick 3/1/2020

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Sunday, March 1, 2020

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers (45-12, 1st in the Pacific Division) are headed to Smoothie King Center on Sunday where they'll take on the New Orleans Pelicans (26-33, 4th in the Southwest Division). Los Angeles opens this contest as 4.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 226.

The Lakers cover the spread 55.4% of the time, having gone 31-25-1 ATS. New Orleans covers the spread 52.6% of the time, going 30-27-2 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season
02/28/20 PF Anthony Davis Elbow is probable Saturday vs Memphis
02/28/20 SG Danny Green Hip is doubtful Saturday vs Memphis
02/27/20 SF LeBron James Groin is questionable Saturday vs Memphis

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

02/28/20 SG JJ Redick Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs LA Lakers
02/21/20 G Kenrich Williams Back is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma comes into this game averaging 12.6 points per contest while playing 24.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 73%. Anthony Davis averages 26.6 points per contest in 34.5 minutes per game. He averages 3.2 assists per game and 9.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram scores 24.8 points per contest while playing 34.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.3 rebounds per contest and has 4.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.2 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.6 rebounds per game and has 6.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 114.8 points per contest, which is 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.8 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 1st. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 46.3 boards per contest and 26.2 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 15.2 per game. The Lakers allow 107.0 points per contest, which is 5th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 23.4 assists per game which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the NBA with 115.8 points per contest this season. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -0.93. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 3rd in the league. They are 5th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.7 boards per contest and 3rd in assists per game with 26.8. The Pelicans are 3rd in turnovers per contest with 16.1. The Pelicans give up 116.8 points per game, which ranks them 27th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 19th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 24.5 dimes allowed per game and 16th with 45.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 105.6, and their offensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 3rd. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Los Angeles is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.9, and their defensive rating of 111.7 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +4.5

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