The NBA Cup returns to action tonight with nine games on the Friday schedule. Group play is in full swing, with this set to be the second game of the in-season tournament for most teams. Facing off in the West Group B tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans will host the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Orleans has slipped to dead last in the Western Conference with a 2-9 record on the year. Tensions are high with the Pelicans with Willie Green’s job looking less secure, Zion Williamson battling injury, and the team having zero control over next year’s first-round pick. The Pelicans have lost their lone NBA Cup matchup thus far.
The outlook is a bit brighter in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic is playing like a true MVP candidate, and LeBron James is nearing a return from injury. The Lakers enter with a 8-4 record on the season, which places them in fifth place in the Western Conference. Los Angeles has won their lone NBA Cup matchup to this point.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Lakers enter as 9.5-point favorites and hold -470 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Pelicans hold +360 odds of getting the outright victory, with the game total set at 227.5 points.
This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Friday night NBA Cup matchup.
Lakers at Pelicans preview, prediction
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to an 8-4 start to the season, but are looking to bounce back from a 121-92 dismantling by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. They have dropped two of their last three, but ripped off a five-game winning streak before this. The Lakers are scoring 115.9 points per game, which ranks 20th in the league, and rank third in field goal percentage, fifth in three free throw attempts, 26th in three-point attempts, and 22nd in three-point percentage. Defensively, they are allowing 116.9 points per game, which ranks 17th, and they rank 24th in opponents’ field goal percentage and fifth in opponents’ rebounds allowed. Los Angeles is 8-4 against the spread, and the over has cashed in nine of the 12 games thus far.
Luka Doncic has shown some improved quick-twitch ability this year and is playing extremely high-level basketball. Through the eight games he has played, Doncic is averaging 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. Austin Reaves has capitalized on his additional offensive freedom and is posting career-best outputs of 28.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart round out most of their notable impact players. LeBron James is beginning his return to play process, while Gabe Vincent remains out and Adou Thiero is listed as questionable.
The New Orleans Pelicans are 2-9 on the season and enter on a three-game losing streak. They opened the year with six straight losses before picking up a pair of wins over the Hornets and Mavericks, and are back on the losing skid. New Orleans is averaging 108.8 points per game, which ranks 28th, while ranking 27th in field goal percentage, 18th in three-point percentage, dead last in assists, and 25th in turnovers. Defensively, opponents are scoring 121.6 points per game, which ranks 25th, and they are 28th in opponents’ field goal percentage, 28th in three-point attempts allowed, 21st in rebounds allowed, and dead last in blocks. The Pelicans are 5-5-1 against the spread, and the over has cashed in six of the 11 games thus far.
Zion Williamson remains sidelined for the Pelicans, leaving a massive void after his opening averages of 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across the five games he did play. Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray also remain out injured. Trey Murphy III leads the production with 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season, while rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have stepped up in recent games. The injury to Williamson has opened the door for an expanded opportunity for Queen. The Maryland product has showcased his ability to serve as a hub of the offense in the half court and is providing the fanbase a flicker of hope. New Orleans’ rotation is primarily rounded out by Saddiq Bey, Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, and Yves Missi.
Pelicans at Suns prediction, best bet
The Lakers are not a perfect basketball team, but there is a far clearer baseline of what to expect compared to their opponent. They will also be hungry to bounce back from their blowout loss to the Thunder, in which they were outclassed from start to finish. Los Angeles trailed 70-38 at halftime and was never able to climb back into this.
But the Pelicans surely will not be confused with the Thunder, who are looking like a team that could threaten the Warriors’ 73-9 regular season record as they defend their NBA Championship. New Orleans is on the other side of the spectrum and have only covered the spread in two of their last 10 matchups against the Lakers. The Lakers have won the last six matchups between these two teams outright, although this will be their first matchup of the year. Looking just at New Orleans’ recent performances this season, they have lost four of their nine games by more than the 9.5-point spread.
New Orleans has struggled defensively all year, ranking 25th in opponents points allowed and 29th in defensive rating. Expect Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to be at the epicenter of all of the offensive production for Los Angeles and for there to be no answer to slowing them down. The previous loss was frustrating, but understandable against the defending champions. It also provided an opportunity to expand rest and ensure there is a full focus moving forward. The Lakers rank third in the league in true shooting percentage and should have no problems getting to their spots and capitalizing against this Pelicans team.
Don’t be shocked if this game gets out of control early and count on the Lakers to pick up their fourth win of the season by double digits against this inferior opponent.
