Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction: Can LeBron James Lead the New-Look Lakers to Victory?

Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction: Can LeBron James Lead the New-Look Lakers to Victory?

The New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles will duel things out from the city of Angels on Wednesday night for a prime-time affair.

Let's get into my pick for tonight.

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Lakers vs. Pelicans Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
• Start Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN

Click here for Lakers vs. Pelicans odds

Lakers vs. Pelicans Prediction

The Lakers enter this one cold as of late, and a large for that is the absence of superstar LeBron James. James broke the scoring record last week vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and has not played since. Since then, the Lakers have also made a ton of moves to their roster. Los Angeles added D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley at the deadline. The Lakers traded Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly on the same day. This creates more shooting and spacing on the floor.

The Lakers are hopeful that these moves will pay off and that they can make a run in the second half of the season. Los Angeles enters this game tonight with an overall record of 26-32. The Lakers are currently 2.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the West.

New Orleans, meanwhile, got off to a red-hot start this season, but they went through a serious losing streak in January. They seem to be playing better basketball as of late, winning four of their last five games, including a win over the Lakers a couple of weeks ago at home. The Pelicans are still without their star in Zion Williamson, who is expected back at some point this season. Ingram has been on a tear as of late, and the Pelicans will need a big-time performance from him tonight facing his former team. The Pelicans are currently the seventh seed in the West with a record of 30-28. 

I am once again taking a chance and betting on this game early, praying that LeBron James decides to play tonight. I expect James to give it a go, as it is the final game before the All-Star break, where he will get a week's vacation. If James does play, I expect this line to shoot up, but I feel as if the line is expecting him to go.

Los Angeles is in the perfect get-right spot tonight on their home floor, and I expect to see a focused effort from Los Angeles here. New Orleans has been a solid fade on the road this year, going just 10-18 away from home. Let’s keep rolling and stay hot on the hardwood tonight! 

Lakers vs. Pelicans Pick

• Los Angeles Lakers ML (-168) (Bet $100 to collect $157) Get the best odds, available at FanDuel

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