New Orleans (25-32) at LA Lakers (43-12)
When: Tuesday, February 25th, 2020
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -8.5/238.5
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to pull away from the pack in the Western Conference and look to extend their winning streak to six games when they host Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. This will be Williamson’s first game versus LeBron James and Antony Davis, as he was rehabbing from knee surgery when these two teams met twice earlier this season. Davis was the star against his former organization in the first two meetings by averaging 43.5 points as the Lakers took the first one 114-110 in New Orleans and 123-113 at home on Jan. 3. Davis recorded his sixth straight double-double with 32 points and 13 rebounds in L.A.’s dramatic 114-112 home win versus the Celtics on Sunday and has scored at least 25 points in all six. James hit the go-ahead shot with 30.4 seconds left in Sunday’s victory to help the Lakers open up a five-game lead over the second-place Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference race. Williamson is also on a roll with 20 or more points in eight straight games after posting 28 points in Sunday’s 115-101 road win over the Golden State Warriors. The Over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
With Williamson sidelined for the first half of the season, small forward Brandon Ingram turned himself into an All-Star (24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists) and is averaging 22.5 points in the two games against the Lakers but is hitting just 14-of-48 from the field. Williamson was 13-of-20 shooting against the Warriors as the Pelicans outscored Golden State 69-45 in the second half. Power forward Nicolo Melli was a force off the bench with a season-high-tying 20 points on 7-of-8 from the field including 6-for-7 from beyond arc. He know has multiple three-pointers made in seven straight contests. New Orleans will be home for three games starting Friday and will host the Lakers on Sunday.
Los Angeles made a move by signing forward Markieff Morris and waiving injured center DeMarcus Cousins on Monday. LeBron fell just short of a triple-double on Sunday with 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds and is averaging 31 points, 10 assists and 7.7 rebounds over the past three games. Forward Kyle Kuzma (16 points) and center Dwight Howard (10 points, seven rebounds) where the only two double-digit scores, as the starters not named James and Davis combined for just 10 points. The Lakers will be at Golden State on Thursday to begin a three-game road trip.
The Pelicans are playing well since Williamson has joined the team, but they’re no match for the red-hot Lakers at Staples Center. Look for L.A. to pull away in the second half.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Tuesday. He is 64-51-3 on the season after a 5-0 run!
Pick: Lakers -8
Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 road games.
Pelicans are 14-4-1 ATS in their last 19 games following a ATS win.
Pelicans are 7-2-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Pelicans are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall.
Pelicans are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog.
Pelicans are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up win.
Pelicans are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
Pelicans are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Pelicans are 2-7-2 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 15-3 in Pelicans last 18 games following a ATS win.
Over is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-2 in Pelicans last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 16-5 in Pelicans last 21 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 16-5 in Pelicans last 21 games following a straight up win.
Over is 18-6 in Pelicans last 24 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-3 in Pelicans last 12 road games.
Over is 19-7 in Pelicans last 26 overall.
Over is 19-7 in Pelicans last 26 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Pelicans last 11 games as an underdog.
Over is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 games as a road underdog.
Over is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 12-4 in Lakers last 16 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-4 in Lakers last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 16-6 in Lakers last 22 Tuesday games.
Over is 13-5 in Lakers last 18 overall.
Over is 12-5 in Lakers last 17 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 39-17 in Lakers last 56 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 9-4 in Lakers last 13 games following a straight up win.
Under is 41-19 in Lakers last 60 games as a home favorite.
Pelicans are 1-3-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
