Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Odds, Bets & Stats – 03/04/2025

On Tuesday, 03/04, the Los Angeles Lakers (39-21) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (1545) in a Western Conference Regular-Season match-up. The Lakers have sprung to the second spot in the West, whereas the Pelicans are way lower at the 14th position. Will the Pels blow away in the Lakers storm, too? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.

Where to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Time: 7:30 PM (PT)
Venue: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Preview

Lakers: Up, up, and up

The Los Angeles Lakers will march into this match-up after an impressive six-point win over the LA Clippers as Luka Doncic rained 29 points. They have won six in a row, and most of these wins have been against teams with +.500 records. The chemistry between Doncic and LeBron James is unparalleled, and their defense has been terrific. The surging squad has conceded just 101.2 points per game during their recent six-game winning streak(1st), and their offense is going to improve as Doncic has started to figure out his role.

Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic | SG: Austin Reaves | SF: LeBron James | PF: Dorian-Finney Smith | C: Jaxson Hayes

Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura is unclear for the game.

Pelicans: Improving but it’s too late

The Pelicans enter the affair after a 7-point win against the Utah Jazz as Kelly Olynyk clinched 26 points. It was their fifth win of their last seven games, but they are all but out of the Play-in tournament race. It is understandable since the team traded their best isolation shooter, Brandon Ingram, their guard Dejounte Murray has been missing from action due to an injury, and the team has faced many lineup fluctuations. At any rate, Trey Murphy III has been on a tear, whereas their ace Zion Williamson has looked in great shape.

Expected Starting Lineup

PG/SG: CJ McCollum | SG: Trey Murphy III | SF: Zion Williamson | PF: Kelly Olynyk | C: Yves Missi

Key Injuries/Updates: Dejounte Murray is OUT. Herbert Jones and Brandon Boston are OUT too.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Total Over/Under Prediction

The Lakers have been in the 106-111 points range lately but have kept their opponents in the 99-102 range. Meanwhile, the Pels have regularly crossed the 120+ points mark, albeit against poor defensive squads. The Lakers will most probably hold them below around the 105-pt mark while crossing the 110-point mark. Both Doncic and Reaves are Game-Time Decisions, so it is difficult to judge the total at the time of writing but the Lakers will at least be good enough defensively to make this game a low-scorer.

Total Under 227.5 for +105 at BetMGM
Pelicans: Points Under 107.5 for +125 at BetMGM

Los Angeles Lakers Player Props Predictions- Projected Top Bets & Odds

Luka Doncic to score over 30.5 points: The superstar guard has scored 29-31 points in the last two games. He will likely torch the Pelicans with 30+ points here.

LeBron Jams to grab over 11.5 rebounds: LBJ has grabbed 12 or more rebounds in three of the last four games. I expect a lot of misses from the Pels and King James to latch on to double-digit rebounds.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Props Predictions – Projected Top Bets & Odds

Zion Williamson to score over 24.5 points: The Pels forward has scored 24.3 PPG this season. I expect him to be in the 25-28 points range here.

Trey Murphy III to nail over 3.5 triples: The Pels sharpshooter has knocked down over 3 triples per game throughout the season. I expect him to cross the mark here but still be held under 19 points.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Prediction

The Lakers have been on fire lately and the Pelicans would enter as the heavy underdogs. However, interestingly, the Lakers have lost to bottom-feeders like Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets lately, so the Pels can weave a surprise. But I believe Doncic will fend off any such attempts and in fact, can propel the Lakers to a double-digit win here. The bookmakers have placed faith in the spread of around 8-10 points too.

Safe Spread Pick: Lakers -9.5 for +100 at BetMGM

Photo Credit: Stephen Lew– Imagn Images

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!