Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Betting (2/9): How Will Quick Turnaround Affect Los Angeles?

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The New Orleans Pelicans (30-21) look to extend their winning ways when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers (27-26) at 10:30 p.m. ET in one of six NBA games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9.

Three Pelicans questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Lakers. #Pelicans | @MorrisBartLLC https://t.co/FZD9JIDsWZ

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 9, 2024

The Pelicans extended their winning streak to four games following Wednesday’s 117-106 win over the LA Clippers. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ three-game run was snapped with a 114-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets less than 24 hours ago.

Both teams have a lot of work to do when it comes to looking like championship contenders. Los Angeles has the 10th-best odds (+2700) to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals while New Orleans comes in at 16th (+7000), per Bovada’s futures markets.

With great bets to be made tonight, let’s explore some of them in my Pelicans vs. Lakers betting preview.

Pelicans vs Lakers NBA Betting Tonight (2/9)

Pelicans vs Lakers Matchup Information

• Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans (30-21, 15-11 Away) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (27-26, 17-9 Home)
• Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
• Date: Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
• Game Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Pelicans vs. Lakers: NBA TV

Lakers vs Pelicans Odds & Spread

Pelicans vs. Lakers odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Friday, Feb. 9 at 9:26 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Pelicans vs Lakers Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans -2 (-105)
• Los Angeles Lakers +2 (-115)

Lakers vs Pelicans Over/Under

• Over 233.5 Points (-110)
• Under 233.5 Points (-110)

Pelicans vs Lakers Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans (-125)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+105)

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Pelicans vs Lakers NBA Betting Trends

• New Orleans is 11-4 straight up in its last 15 road games.
• The Lakers are 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games on a Friday.
• New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games played in February.
• The Lakers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games vs. New Orleans.
• The total hit the Under in four of New Orleans’ last five games.
• The total hit the Over in eight of the Lakers’ last 11 games.

Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction & NBA Pick Today (2/9): Will Lack of Rest Hurt Los Angeles?

An inefficient offense was a key reason why the Lakers fell to the Nuggets last night. They couldn’t generate anything consistently, only scoring 106 points while shooting 46.1% from the floor and 32.0% from the three-point line. It also didn’t help that they lost the rebounding battle 50-39.

Due to a quick turnaround, Darvin Ham’s team doesn’t have much time to fix those issues. Regarding the second half of back-to-back games this season, the Lakers are 2-6 SU as their opponents in those games average 121.1 PPG on .477/.389/.795.

The Pelicans will also be a handful to handle if they continue at their current pace. They’re averaging 119.8 points with a plus-15.3 average scoring margin during their four-game winning streak, holding three opponents to 106 or fewer points. New Orleans is also 19-14 SU when playing on one day of rest this season.

New Orleans’ is also one of the more accurate teams, meaning Los Angeles must tighten up its defense. The Pelicans are shooting 48.8% from the floor (9th) and 37.9% from the three-point line (6th).

The Lakers can’t afford to give the Pelicans’ shooters any space if they hope to win tonight.

The Lakers and Pelicans have already met twice this season, splitting the first two encounters. The Lakers scored a dominant 133-89 victory at crypto.com Arena on Dec. 7 before the Pelicans got some revenge with a 129-109 win at Smoothie King Center 24 days later.

Having said that, Los Angeles has gotten the upper hand regarding the recent history between these squads. The Lakers are 12-6 SU in their last 18 encounters with the Pelicans, which includes winning four of the last six meetings.

In fact, the Lakers haven’t lost at home to the Pelicans since April 1, 2022, winning the last three clashes at crypto.com Arena by an average of 21.7 points.

Nevertheless, Los Angeles’ injury situation could prove to be an obstacle. D’Angelo Russell (knee) didn’t play yesterday, so his status is up in the air, while Max Christie sprained his ankle last night. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent (knee), Cam Reddish (ankle), and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) have already been ruled out.

As for the Pelicans, Zion Williamson (foot), Naji Marshall (back), and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) are all questionable.

The likes of Anthony Davis (and LeBron James) must step up to overcome the Lakers’ injury situation.

While the Lakers have already beaten the visitors in LaLa Land this season, let’s back the Pelicans to win tonight. The Pelicans are buzzing after a massive win over the Clippers, extending their momentum to four straight games. The Lakers clearly struggle after playing the night before, and injuries will only make it harder to keep things close.

With that being said, I do like the Over on the 233.5-point total, too. For starters, as mentioned earlier, Los Angeles allows a ton of points in the second half of back-to-backs. Secondly, the Over is 4-2 in the last six Pelicans-Lakers matchups, averaging a combined 234.5 points per game.

Considering how the Over is also 8-3 in the Lakers’ last 11 games, I think it’s safe to say that fireworks should be expected tonight.

Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction: NOP wins

Best Pelicans vs Lakers NBA Bet: Over 233.5 Total Points  (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada

Best Pelicans vs Lakers NBA Prop Bet (2/9)

Tonight, I’m taking Brandon Ingram to record over 23.5 points as my Pelicans vs. Lakers player prop pick.

Brandon Ingram is cooking ?

He’s got 41 PTS on 16-21 FG! pic.twitter.com/d1OXz6MkXA

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 6, 2024

Although he’s been streak at times this season, Ingram has stepped up his game lately. The former NBA All-Star is averaging 25.5 points on .541/.433/.800 splits across his last six games, finishing with 24 or more points in four of those games.

The ex-Laker is also averaging 25.2 PPG in the last nine meetings against his former team, hitting the Over six times. After recording 26 points in the latest meeting back in December, I’m feeling good about this prop.