New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction 3/3/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The New Orleans Pelicans and LA Lakers meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Crypto.com Arena. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers pick.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Jazz and lost to the Clippers, and they play the Kings next. The Pelicans have won 4 of their last 5 games.

The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 120.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.9 points and 6 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Dejounte Murray is dishing 6 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 35.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.7 rebounds per game.

LA Lakers Betting Preview

The LA Lakers beat the Warriors and the Kings, and they play the Nuggets next. The Lakers have won 12 of their last 20 games.

The LA Lakers are averaging 115.5 points on 49.8 percent shooting and allowing 115.9 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 32.7 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 24.6 points and 5 rebounds. LeBron James is the third double-digit scorer, and Deandre Ayton is grabbing 8.4 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.8 rebounds per game.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Lakers have won each of their last 12 night games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six Tuesday night games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Lakers teams that held a winning record.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Pelicans have won three of their last four games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games at Crypto.com Arena following a home win.

Total Points: Facts

• Each of the Lakers’ last four home games against the Pelicans has gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Pelicans’ last four games as underdogs following a road loss has gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• Deandre Ayton is the only player to have made 10+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
• Austin Reaves is one of only six players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Trey Murphy III ranks 3rd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
• Jeremiah Fears is one of only six players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (61.7%).
• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for rebounds per game this season (40.9).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.6).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (41.1).

New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report

The Lakers don’t have any players listed on their injury report.

Zion Williamson is questionable for the Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction

The Lakers have a clean injury sheet and you’d think that would translate to comfortable wins against bad teams. However, the Lakers have been shaky despite recent wins, and that includes awful losses to the Magic and Suns. The Pelicans are as healthy as they’ve been in a while and they’ve had a pep in their step with the return of Murray. If Zion plays, it’s hard to turn down all of these points with the Pelicans. The Lakers often look like they’re going through the motions. I want nothing to do with large numbers. Give me the pels and the points.

Randy Chambers's Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +8.5