Los Angeles Lakers @ New Orleans Pelicans -10 (-105)
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
February 4, 2016, 6:35PM PST
Coming off a straight up home win versus Minnesota Tuesday, the 10-41 Lakers kick off a four-game road trip this evening at New Orleans. Vegas casts the Lakers in the unenviable position of 10-10.5 point underdog. L.A. is 8-11 this season when receiving at least ten points.
But heavy favorite is an unfamiliar spot for New Orleans. The 18-30 Pelicans have not been expected to win by double digits all season. The Pels failed to cover facing both Brooklyn and Dallas, laying 9 and 8 points of chalk respectively, but are 3-3 ATS as favorites of more than five -- most respectable for a team that is 20-28 overall versus the number.
Moreover, though New Orleans missed covers against the Grizzlies Monday and the Nets two days prior, the Pelicans went 5-1 versus the number in the preceding six games. Moreover, New Orleans is 7-3 straight up in their last ten out. Thus, New Orleans is currently engaged in its best stretch of the season.
Our simulation work calls for the Pelicans to beat the Lakers by 11, suggesting that New Orleans will rekindle their hot streak tonight. Lay the ten and back the Pels to cover.
Happy betting!!
P.S. CBSSports indicated Kobe as questionable for tonight's action, however, Rotoworld has since reported that the Mamba is a gamer. Similarly, multiple sources cite Pelicans' Guard Tyreke Evans as questionable. Our simulation routines assume Bryant and Evans will both participate in this evening's proceedings.