New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction 3/4/25 NBA Picks

LA Lakers Betting Preview 

The LA Lakers beat the Clippers and Timberwolves, and they play the Knicks, Celtics, and Nets next. The Lakers have won six straight games and have won 18 of their last 22 games overall. The Lakers are currently the second seed in the West. 

The LA Lakers are averaging 112.8 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 111.1 points on 46 percent shooting. LeBron James is averaging 24.8 points and 8 rebounds, while Luka Doncic is averaging 22 points and 8.3 rebounds. Austin Reaves is the third double-digit scorer and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 5.2 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Lakers have won each of their last 10 games at Crypto.com Arena following a win.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six games at Crypto.com Arena following a home win.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The underdogs have won six of the Pelicans' last seven games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The Lakers have lost three of their last four night games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine night games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Pelicans' last four games at Crypto.com Arena.

New Orleans Pelicans vs LA Lakers Injury Report 

The LA Lakers will be without Maxi Kleber, Jordan Goodwin, and Rui Hachimura. Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James are questionable.

The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones. Brandon Boston is questionable for the Pels due to an ankle injury.

New Orleans Pelicans vs LA Lakers Prediction

On paper, the LA Lakers should roll, as they’re the hottest team in the league with wins in 18 of their last 22 games. The Lakers have also covered seven of their last 10 games. However, the Lakers have a lot of key players on their injury list, including Luka, LeBron, and Reaves. This is one where you have to watch the injury report closely before getting involved. Also, the Pelicans have played improved ball since getting healthier and that includes wins in five of their last seven games. At the time of this writing, I can’t lay this many points with the Lakers given the injury situation. Of course, things will change depending on who plays. It’s Pelicans or pass for me.