Lakers vs. Pelicans: Clash of Streaks as Los Angeles Hosts New Orleans in Western Conference Showdown

The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off in a highly anticipated Western Conference matchup tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers, currently second in the West with a 38-21 record, are riding a six-game winning streak and boast a strong 23-7 home record. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, despite a struggling 17-44 overall record, have shown recent resilience, winning four of their last five games.

Los Angeles enters the game as an 8.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 229 points. The Lakers’ recent form has been impressive, highlighted by their 108-102 victory over the Clippers on Sunday. Luka Doncic led the charge with 29 points and nine assists, while LeBron James contributed 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. James, averaging 24.8 points, 8.6 assists, and 8.0 rebounds this season, remains a key factor in the Lakers’ success. The team has also been strong against the spread, going 5-1 in their last six games.

On the other side, the Pelicans are coming off a 128-121 win against the Utah Jazz, marking their fifth consecutive victory over Utah. Zion Williamson and Kelly Olynyk were standout performers, with Williamson scoring 24 points and Olynyk adding 26 points and nine rebounds. New Orleans has won five of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents, averaging 111.0 points per game. However, their road record (6-25) and struggles against teams with winning records (4 losses in their last 5 such matchups) raise questions about their ability to compete with the surging Lakers.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, has been highly accurate this season, boasting a 147-107 record on top-rated NBA picks since last season. For this game, the model is leaning toward the Under and has identified a point-spread pick that hits in well over 50% of simulations.

Key trends to watch include the Lakers’ dominance at home against the Pelicans, winning nine of their last 11 matchups in Los Angeles. Additionally, the Under has been a common outcome in Lakers games against Western Conference teams this season (23-15).

For betting enthusiasts, NBC Sports Bet recommends:

• Moneyline: Favoring the Lakers.

• Spread: Leaning toward the Pelicans at +8.

• Total: Suggesting the Under on the game total of 232 points.

As both teams look to extend their winning streaks, tonight’s game promises to be a thrilling contest. Will the Lakers continue their dominance, or can the Pelicans pull off an upset? Tune in to find out!

How to Watch:

• Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

• Time: 10:30 p.m. EST

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

• Streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Stay updated with live stats, expert picks, and more as the Lakers and Pelicans battle it out in this Western Conference clash!