New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers: Best Odds Picks and Predictions
Now that the holidays are past us and we have to wait a few more days for the NFL playoffs to start, the NBA takes center stage on this Tuesday night in January.
Tonight's schedule features six games, but none with more star power than the young New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers. Several notables won't play tonight, yet that won't stop this game from being a thrilling contest.
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
- Trey Alexander (G-league two-way) - Out
- Saddiq Bey (right hip flexor strain) - Out
- Hunter Dickinson (G-league two-way) - Out
- Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture) - Out
- Herb Jones (right ankle sprain) - Questionable
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- Rui Hachimura (right calf sprain) - Out
- Austin Reaves (left calf strain) - Out
- Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) - Out
- Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain) - Questionable
It's Game Time
Here are our best NBA bets today from this fantastic game. Our best bets include game lines, NBA player props, and a saucy NBA parlay pick.
Make sure to compare all of our favorite NBA betting sites to lock in the best odds before putting down your hard-earned money.
New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers Game Line
Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110)
🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈
Yeah, this looks like a trap line, but this is the third-ranked team in the Western Conference against the last-place team, who's on a nine-game losing streak. It hardly gets more imbalanced than this.
The Lakers are one of the best road teams in the entire NBA, posting a 12-5 record this season. Even without Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, they should still have enough quality in the tank to get the job done in style.
Over 243.5 (-110)
🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈
Last time out, the Lakers blew away the Pelicans from the onset, scoring 46 points in the first quarter in a very comfortable 133-121 victory. Both teams had considerable differences in their starting lineups; however, the Lakers were missing LeBron James, while the Pelicans were missing Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and others.
Regardless, we think there's much more offensive quality on the floor, while LeBron and Zion on the floor shouldn't create a huge defensive difference. With Saddiq Bey and Rui Hachimura both out, we think that's going to be a push. Take the over.
New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers Player Props
Jake LaRavia 20+ Points (+357)
🏀 Odds via DraftKings 📈
LaRavia is in line for another start tonight, and the 24-year-old journeyman has been on another sensational heater, going for 21 and 26 points in back-to-back wins over the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Reaves and Hachimura both out, LaRavia should get over 30 minutes on the floor tonight. We think he'll be a focal point, and the price is way too good to ignore. If anything, take his over, which is currently set at 13.5 points.
DeAndre Ayton Under 8.5 Rebounds (+105)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Since Christmas, Ayton has only gone over this number once in the last five, gathering just two rebounds on two occasions. His offensive rebounds are way down, pulling down just five over that same post-Christmas span after averaging nearly three before that.
In Ayton's first two games against the Pelicans, he managed a combined 29 rebounds. However, New Orleans didn't have the bodies that they do now. Take the under.
Luka Dončić 4+ Made Threes (-148)
🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈
There's a lot of value here, as Dončić should have free rein to go nuts against a soft Pelicans defense. We're expecting this game to be on the closer side, so we're not worried about Dončić getting benched after three quarters.
Dončić has hit four or more threes about half the time this season, and we're looking forward to watching him cook tonight.
Jake LaRavia 2+ Made Threes (-136)
🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈
Well, if we're going to go with LaRavia scoring 20 or more points, there's little point in not picking him to hit a pair of threes. He's done so in each of his four games where he's scored 20+, so you pretty much have to layer these picks. Don't bother parlaying them, however, as the books won't give you any additional value.
LeBron James Over 36.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-113)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
This seems like an awfully low number, considering that the Lakers are without two of their starters. In 17 games this season, LeBron has gone over this number seven times, and tonight he faces a rather weak Pelicans side. Go for it.
New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers Best Parlay (+335)
🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈
- Leg 1: Luka Dončić 4+ Made Threes
- Leg 2: Jake LaRavia 2+ Made Threes
- Leg 3: Over 243.5
- Leg 4: LeBron James Over 36.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
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All Projections as of 9:00 a.m. ET on Jan. 6
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