Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 31/03/2022, 21:11  by Joseph King | Modified on 01/04/2022 at 04:12 in NBA Predictions

With only six games left in the NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers could very well be looking at a playoff deciding game when they host the New Orleans Pelicans at the Crypto.com Arena on Friday. It’s been a rough season for LeBron James and company who currently sit 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 31 wins and 45 losses. The Lakers are tied with the tenth place Spurs, who share the same record, and two games behind the Pelicans who sit ninth. With the playoff structure in the NBA, the seventh to 10th seed take part in a play-in game to decide the final two spots. If the Lakers lose this game, it could very well result in them missing the playoffs and ending their season - something that was unthinkable at the start of the year as many had LA favorites to win the West. The Lakers are coming off a 122-109 loss to the Jazz and have now lost four in a row, while the Pelicans are coming off a 117-107 win against the Blazers.

The Lakers two superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both expected to be available for this game. James missed the last two games with a sprained foot while Davis has suffered immensely with injuries over the past two years and has only suited up for 37 games this season. Their presence makes the Lakers favorites in this game but the Pelicans have the pieces to make this a tough matchup. The Pels are powered by the acquisition of veteran CJ McCollum who is averaging a career high 25 points per game on very efficient shooting since joining from Portland earlier this season. Despite the Lakers awful run, losing four straight and eight of their last 10, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the ability to secure an important win for the Lakers.