Pelicans vs. Lakers: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Pelicans vs. Lakers Odds
| Pelicans Odds | +5 |
| Lakers Odds | -5 |
| Over/Under | 235 |
| Date | Wed, Feb. 15 |
| Time | 10:00 p.m. |
| TV | ESPN |
Tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers will meet in Hollywood. Entering play on Wednesday, New Orleans (30-28) owns the seventh-best record in the Western Conference. Los Angeles (26-32) owns the third-worst record in the standings. Nevertheless, oddsmakers are anticipating a Lakers’ victory in this spot, pricing Los Angeles as 5-point home favorites on the spread.
New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson OUT
Since Zion Williamson last played on January 2, the Pelicans are 7-15 overall and rank 25th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. In that span, New Orleans has been largely non-competitive on the road, with a 3-9 record, and having been outscored by 5.8 points per 100 possessions.
Williamson’s absence is a major loss for this group. Per Cleaning the Glass, New Orleans ranks in the 82nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 86th percentile in defensive efficiency this season with Williamson on the floor, compared to the 39th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 48th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is off of the court.
McCollum listed as questionable
In addition to Williamson being out of the lineup, C.J. McCollum is listed as questionable for this evening’s action due to a right ankle sprain. McCollum is New Orleans’ third-leading scorer and primary facilitator, averaging 21.1 points and 5.8 assists per game this season.
When both Williamson and McCollum are off of the floor at the same time this year, the Pelicans rank in the 18th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 66th percentile in defensive efficiency, in a sample size of 1,278 possessions. If McCollum is unable to suit-up, expect New Orleans to struggle mightily to score the basketball.
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Los Angeles Lakers
James listed as questionable
LeBron James has not played since February 7, a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since that point, Los Angeles is 1-2, having defeated the short-handed Golden State Warriors, but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers.
If James is unable to take the floor again on Wednesday, it is a notable loss for the Lakers. According to Cleaning the Glass, the team ranks in the 70th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 64th percentile in defensive efficiency this year with James on the floor, compared to the 14th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 17th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Who will step up for the Lakers if James doesn’t play?
Across their last three contests, Los Angeles has relied on a team approach to scoring, with nine different players averaging at least 9.0 points per game, but zero players averaging more than 18.3 points.
Per CourtIQ, when James and Russell Westbrook are off of the court this year for the Lakers, Dennis Schroder (+5.4%) sees the largest increase in usage of any notable player on the roster. In his last three games, Schroder is averaging 17.7 points on 12.0 field goal attempts. Expect him to be busy once again if James is in street clothes.
Pelicans vs. Lakers – Picks & Predictions
Simply, the New Orleans Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA when they do not have Zion Williamson on the floor. If C.J. McCollum is also out tonight, New Orleans will be without two of their top-three scoring options, in addition to missing their primary facilitator.
Los Angeles has struggled this season without LeBron James in the lineup, but the presence of Anthony Davis and home court advantage make them the smarter play in this spot if choosing to take action on this contest.
PICK: Lakers -5 (-110, FanDuel)
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