The Los Angeles Lakers, currently holding an 8-4 record, will face the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (2-9) in the group stage of the NBA Cup on Friday night. The matchup is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be broadcast live on SportsNet LA.
The Lakers are favored by 9.5 points against the Pelicans, with the over/under set at 227.5 total points. Los Angeles is a strong -500 favorite to win outright, while New Orleans is listed at +375, indicating the potential for an upset.
As the matchup approaches, experts are leaning toward a total score exceeding 227.5 points, with my recommendation to bet on the over given the best odds currently available at DraftKings.
Diving deeper into the game, the Pelicans have historically performed well against the spread as home underdogs in the NBA Cup, boasting a 57% success rate. Despite the Lakers being projected to dominate with a estimated game total nearing 234 points, there are concerns about their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in transition where they have allowed significant scoring opportunities.
Los Angeles ranks fourth in half-court offense while facing off against the 29th-ranked half-court defense of the Pelicans. Interestingly, while the Lakers may struggle to defend in transition, New Orleans has demonstrated efficiency in this phase of the game, achieving the ninth-best points-per-possession mark during fast breaks.
In essence, the outlook for the game suggests a potential for a solid offensive display from the Lakers, possibly leading to an emphatic victory complemented by some late-game scoring from both teams.
Fans and bettors alike should stay tuned to the latest news, especially regarding any injury updates that may impact the game, which can be tracked on the NBA Injury Report page.