New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction & Picks - NBA
USA - NBA
New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Erik Gibbs | in NBA Picks
The Los Angeles Lakers head into tonight's matchup at the Smoothie King Center looking to reset after a rough outing against Oklahoma City, and the circumstances seem favorable for a rebound. Despite Wednesday's lopsided loss, the Lakers have quietly built solid momentum over the past two weeks, winning six of their last eight and showing improved balance on both ends. Even without LeBron James and Gabe Vincent, Los Angeles has leaned on structured half-court offense, better ball movement, and an active defensive presence to stay afloat. Luka Doncic continues to be the stabilizing force, and even in limited minutes against the Thunder he managed 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, once again proving he can control the game's rhythm even when the team struggles.
New Orleans enters with far less stability. At 2-9, the Pelicans own the worst record in the Western Conference and are stuck in a three-game skid marked by defensive lapses and inconsistent scoring. Allowing 121.6 points per game has put them near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency, and that lack of resistance has become a defining theme. Their most recent loss to Portland highlighted the same problems: too many uncontested looks, too little rim protection, and offensive stretches where the group struggled to create clean opportunities. Rookie Derik Queen provided a bright spot with 26 points on highly efficient shooting, but New Orleans rarely sustains enough flow to support individual scoring bursts.
Matchup history also leans heavily toward Los Angeles. The Lakers have taken nine of the last ten meetings and have covered the spread in seven of those games, consistently exploiting the Pelicans' shaky perimeter defense and turnover issues.
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Form
Table
| Teams | % | P | W | L | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6
|
0.646 | 82 | 53 | 29 | 3 |
|
23
|
0.317 | 82 | 26 | 56 |
New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Nov 12, 2025 - NBA
Nov 10, 2025 - NBA
Nov 8, 2025 - NBA
Nov 5, 2025 - NBA
Nov 4, 2025 - NBA
Nov 2, 2025 - NBA
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Nov 12, 2025 - NBA
Nov 4, 2025 - NBA
Oct 27, 2025 - NBA
Oct 24, 2025 - NBA
Jul 18, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 15, 2025 - NBA Summer League
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Nov 10, 2025 - NBA
Nov 8, 2025 - NBA
Nov 5, 2025 - NBA
Nov 2, 2025 - NBA
Oct 31, 2025 - NBA
Oct 29, 2025 - NBA
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Nov 12, 2025 - NBA
Nov 10, 2025 - NBA
Nov 8, 2025 - NBA
Nov 5, 2025 - NBA
Nov 3, 2025 - NBA
Nov 2, 2025 - NBA
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Nov 5, 2025 - NBA
Nov 2, 2025 - NBA
Oct 27, 2025 - NBA
Oct 24, 2025 - NBA
Oct 21, 2025 - NBA
Jul 18, 2025 - NBA Summer League
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Nov 12, 2025 - NBA
Nov 10, 2025 - NBA
Nov 8, 2025 - NBA
Nov 3, 2025 - NBA
Oct 31, 2025 - NBA
Oct 29, 2025 - NBA
New Orleans Pelicans against Los Angeles Lakers : Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
100 %
Jul 12, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Apr 4, 2025 - NBA
Mar 4, 2025 - NBA
Nov 16, 2024 - NBA
Apr 16, 2024 - NBA
Apr 14, 2024 - NBA
Players list
J. Fears
T. Murphy III
S. Bey
K. Looney
H. Jones
M. Smart
A. Reaves
R. Hachimura
Substitutes
M. Peavy
J. Hawkins
J. Alvarado
D. Knecht
B. James
A. Thiero
J. Laravia
M. Kleber
J. Vanderbilt
New Orleans Pelicans - Los Angeles Lakers Key Points
- The Over is 6-0 in the Lakers’ last 6 games on the first leg of a back-to-back
- The Over is 8-2 in the Pels’ last 10 games as home underdogs after a home loss
- The Lakers are 10-0 in their last 10 night games vs. Southwest Division teams
- The Lakers are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 night games vs. Southwest Division teams
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
Our New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Injuries only deepen the Pelicans' issues. Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Zion Williamson are all sidelined, stripping New Orleans of playmaking, perimeter shot creation, and interior scoring. That leaves the Pelicans overly dependent on young contributors and role players who are being asked to shoulder far more responsibility than expected. Against a veteran Lakers team that has defended better over the past two weeks, those limitations become even more glaring.
Even shorthanded, the Lakers typically create high-percentage looks through Doncic's playmaking and a steady inside presence, which should be an advantage tonight against a New Orleans roster struggling to slow down dribble penetration or protect the paint.
Los Angeles hasn't been perfect, but they've shown enough cohesion and resilience to inspire confidence after a blowout loss. New Orleans, by contrast, continues to search for answers with a depleted rotation and an identity that hasn't taken shape. Given the trends, form, and injuries on both sides, the Lakers are well positioned to bounce back and reclaim momentum in this matchup. Our prediction for New Orleans Pelicans vs. LA Lakers: Over 229.5 points.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
