The Los Angeles Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans in Tuesday’s NBA nightcap.
The pregame narrative: Los Angeles is rolling and I expect it to pick up a win against a bottom-feeding New Orleans squad tonight. Prop bets on Zion Williamson and Dorian Finney-Smith round out this +360 wager.
Check out my Pelicans vs. Lakers SGP predictions for March 4.
Pelicans vs. Lakers predictions
Parlay: Lakers moneyline | Williamson over 29.5 points and rebounds | Finney-Smith 2+ threes (+360)
Lakers moneyline (-375): Los Angeles is on a six-game winning streak and now has sole possession of the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed.
The Lakers have beaten some credible competition during this stretch, like the Clippers (twice), Timberwolves and Nuggets.
New Orleans’ playoff hopes are long gone but, to its credit, the team has continued fighting with a 4-1 record since Feb. 23.
I can’t say those wins have been as impressive, though, as the victims were the Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs (twice), Suns and Jazz.
The Lakers are 23-7 at home this season while the Pelicans are an awful 6-25 on the road — there’s no need to overthink this leg.
SGP legs
Williamson over 29.5 points and rebounds (-112): This is a smash play in my books. Williamson is on a tear and draws a solid matchup against the Lakers. Check out his stats over the last 15 games:
- 25.7 PPG
- 7.3 RPG
- 62.0 FG%
- 30+ points/rebounds in 11 of 15
Los Angeles is missing a legit centre since trading away Anthony Davis. Williamson should feast on the glass and in the paint against an undersized lineup.
The explosive power forward has missed a bunch of games this season but is a force when he plays, ranking in the 100th percentile for usage rate (33.6%), according to Cleaning the Glass.
Williamson is averaging 24.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in nine career games against the Lakers, clearing this mark seven times (and in two of the last three).
Finney-Smith 2+ threes (-136): No one seems happier about the Doncic acquisition than Finney-Smith, who said he’s gotten “butt-naked, wide open” 3-point looks since the trade.
The swingman is averaging 1.6 threes on 37.3% shooting since Feb. 1 and has at least one 3-pointer in 10 of 12 games.
New Orleans is tied for 24th in opponent 3-point percentage (36.7%) and gives up the most 3s per game to opposing power forwards (2.83), according to Fantasy Pros.
Picks made at 3:00 p.m. ET 03/04/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.