[7:00 PM] Lakers @ Pelicans

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Lakers (5-4)

@ New Orleans Pelicans (1-8)

 

Current odds:

Los Angeles Lakers: (-102)

New Orleans Pelicans: (-108)

 

• ESPN simulations have New Orleans as 69.6% favorites to win the game.

• 63% of sports bets are currently on Los Angeles to win as (-102) underdogs.

• The line for this game is Pelicans by 1 point.

• The New Orleans Pelicans finally secured their first win on Thursday at Milwaukee 112-106 and are looking to make it two in a row when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. The Pelicans are beginning to get production from players other than Anthony Davis and will play four of the next five at home as they try to put up a win in front of friendly fans.

• The Lakers already have as many wins in 2016-17 as they did at Christmas last season after opening the three-game road trip with a 101-91 win at Sacramento to improve to 5-4. Los Angeles power forward Julius Randle did not back down from Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins in the win and faces another tough defensive challenge in Davis.

• Randle collected 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists on Thursday but left a lasting image of himself at midcourt jawing back and forth with Cousins after the final buzzer sounded, refusing to back away until teammates and coaches stepped in the middle. Point guard D’Angelo Russell, 20, added 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting Thursday and is 12-of-21 from the floor in the last two games.

• New Orleans had four starters score in double figures on Thursday as Terrence Jones joined the starting five and contributed 10 points while Tim Frazier collected 15 points and 10 assists. Several of those assists went to shooting guard E’Twaun Moore, who poured in 20 points in the win.

• Pelicans rookie G Buddy Hield went 3-of-6 from 3-point range on Thursday after hitting 4-of-28 in the previous three games.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Confidence: 4/10

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