New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers, NBA 2024-25 Season, Today Match Prediction

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New Orleans Pelicans Preview

After kick-starting their 2024-25 season with a win at home and on the road the New Orleans Pelicans seemed to be on a mission at the start of this term as they defeated the Chicago Bulls at home by a 12-point margin before traveling to Portland and defeating the Trail Blazers in their own backyard with a 105-103 scoreline. Despite this positive start the Pelicans soon faced adversity as in their very next fixture where they replayed their fixture against the Trail Blazers the Portland side were able to get their revenge with a 125-103 score which handed the Pelicans their first defeat of the season. 

This loss then kicked off a detrimental record for the New Orleans side as they lost their back-to-back fixtures against the Golden State Warriors before a win against the Indiana Pacers seemed to have repaired the damage but what came next was something that not many people could have expected.

Brandishing a 3-3 record after their win against the Pacers the Pelicans then went on an abysmal six game losing streak where they lost against the likes of the Atlanta Hawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic, the Brooklyn Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yet to win a game since at the time of writing this torrid run of form has left the Pelicans at the bottom of the Western Conference and are currently 7 games behind the conference leaders the OKC Thunder.

With the worst offense in the West and unable to build a winning record both at home and away the Pelicans will need to do better and find some rhythm if they are to qualify for the playoffs like they did last season and will require their players like Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson to stay fit if they are to achieve a postseason place.   

Injuries - Jose Alvarado (Hamstring); Jordan Hawkins (Back); Herbert Jones (Shoulder); CJ McCollum (Thigh); Dejounte Murray (Hand); Zion Williamson (Hamstring)

Los Angeles Lakers Preview

While the New Orleans Pelicans have had a tough time managing their season so far, the Los Angeles Lakers on the other hand have had a positive season so far as while they might not be at the top of the conference the LA side have still been keeping up with the league leaders and are currently only 2.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and 2 games behind the Golden State Warriors who are first and second respectively at the time of writing. 

Having begun their season with 3 back-to-back wins against the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and the Sacramento Kings the Lakers similar to the Pelicans went on a dismal run but unlike the Louisiana side all those games were away from home and came after a run of positive fixtures in their first three games. Facing the Phoenix side in their first away game of the season the Suns managed to take revenge for their 123-116 loss that they faced in game week 2 of the season and handed the Lakers their first defeat of the year with a 109-105 victory at the Footprint Center. 

This loss was then followed by a 24-point loss to the Cavaliers which left them with a 3-2 record but in their very next game against the Toronto Raptors the Lakers beat the side from the North by a 131-125 scoreline which helped them keep their record in a positive balance with 4 wins and 2 losses. Despite this win the Lakers then lost their next two games against the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies which left them with an away record of 1 win and 4 losses which meant they returned to the cryto.com arena with a 4-4 record after having gone on the road with a 3-0 record.

Although the away losses did hurt the Lakers, their home fixtures helped them regain their form once again as they beat the Philadelphia 76ers in their first game back in Los Angeles before defeating the Toronto Raptors in their fifth home fixture and taking their revenge on the Memphis Grizzlies for defeating them in Tennessee a couple of weeks back. Now holding a 6-0 record at home the Lakers will hit the road once again and will hope to return with a better record as they keep their playoff hopes alive under new head coach JJ Reddick. 

Injuries: Jaxson Hayes (Ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino (Groin); Jared Vanderbilt (Foot); Christian Wood (Knee)

Los Angeles Lakers Player Props Predictions

Los Angeles Lakers Spread Predictions

New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineups

Position	Player Name
PG	Brandon Boston Jr
SG	Brandon Ingram
SF	Trey Murphy
PF	Javonte Green
C	Yves Missi

Position	Player Name
PG	Austin Reaves
SG	Cam Reddish
SF	Rui Hachimura
PF	Lebron James
C	Anthony Davis