New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and predictions

Ryan Dodson | Staff Writer

The New Orleans Pelicans (12-10) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (13-9) in the In-Season Tournament semifinals Thursday with tip-off from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas set for 9 p.m. ET (TNT). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Pelicans vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting; Lakers won 3-1 last season

The Pelicans upset the Sacramento Kings in the quarterfinals 127-117 Monday to advance this far into the dance. They were 3.5-point underdogs in the game. SF Brandon Ingram put the team on his back with 30 points, 8 boards and 6 assists. C Jonas Valanciunas had 18 points and 11 boards, and he has double-doubles in 3 straight games.

The Lakers narrowly covered as 1.5-point favorites with a 106-103 win over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday. F LeBron James had 31 points, 11 dimes and 8 boards. F Anthony Davis showed up and showed out with 27 points, 15 boards and 2 blocks.

- The Indiana Pacers (11-8) battle the Milwaukee Bucks (15-6) play the other semifinal, also in Vegas, at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN).

- The title game is Saturday in Vegas at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) with the victors pocketing $500K per player.

Pelicans vs. Lakers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:19 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Lakers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +2.5 (-115) | Lakers -2.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Pelicans vs. Lakers key injuries

Pelicans

F Matt Ryan (elbow) out

Lakers

F Anthony Davis (hip) probable
F LeBron James (calf) questionable
F Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) probable
G Gabe Vincent (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Pelicans vs. Lakers picks and predictions

Prediction

Lakers 111, Pelicans 101

Moneyline

This tournament feels like something LBJ wants to add to his resume, and I'm a little surprised the Lakers aren't bigger favorites. They are 9-2 at home this season and beat the Pelicans 3 of 4 times last year. AD also likes showing up his former team. He averaged 29.3 PPG, 14.3 RPG, 3.3 APG and 2.0 BPG in 4 games against them last year.

LAKERS -130 is a slam dunk.

Against the spread

I'm also on board with the Lakers' spread. They won by 15, 18 and 3 against NOLA last year. The Lakers are just 5-6 ATS at home this season, but this is such a small spread that doesn't factor in much for this one.

Take the LAKERS -2.5 (-105), and I would be surprised if it's not 3.5 by tip-off.

Over/Under

The Over hit in 3 of the 4 meetings last season. The Under hit in L.A., and the Over only hit in the 2nd showdown in L.A. because OT was needed. The Pelicans are 10-12 O/U this year, and L.A. is 9-13.

I'm feeling the UNDER 230.5 (-115).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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