Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction and Odds (Bet Over in LeBron's Return)

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of missing the NBA postseason.

LeBron James will return to the floor on Friday night in a must-win game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers, tied for the 10 seed in the Western Conference with the San Antonio Spurs, need to get going in a hurry in order to make the Play-In Tournament, beginning on April 12th.

James has missed the last few games with an ankle injury, but will go through pregame warms ups in hopes of suiting up.

Odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook

Pelicans vs. Lakers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Pelicans: -2 (-110)
• Lakers: +2 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Pelicans: -130
• Lakers: +110

Total: 230.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Pelicans vs. Lakers Prediction and Pick

The Lakers, despite James likely return, are catching points at home against the Pelicans, who have been much better with C.J. McCollum on the floor. Since the All-Star break, the Pellies are top five in net rating and are primed to be in the Play-In game.

Will James lead a heroic run to the postseason, or are the Lakers simply finished? The team is playing a back-to-back after a game in Utah on Thursday night and now get a well rested New Orleans club that has a ton of offensive firepower with McCollum and Brandon Ingram on the perimeter.

I'm going to side with the over in this one as I expect James' return also coincides with his scoring title candidacy. He needs to play in three games to qualify for the scoring title and is neck-and-neck with Giannis Antetokounmpo heading into the final handful of games.

James is an offensive powerhouse, but his defense can't save the Lakers, who will struggle against an emerging Pelicans offense. I can't trust LA even in a must-win, so I'll side with the over, that is 3 points lower than the meeting these two had in mid-March.

LEAN: OVER 230.5 (-110)

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!