Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions April 4th 2025

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans April 4th 2025

At 10:30 ET, the Lakers (-930) will host the Pelicans (+618) in a Western Conference matchup. Los Angeles is favored by 13.5 and the over/under line is 219.5.

This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and can be seen on SN-LA. The Pelicans are 14th in the Western Conference with a record of 21-55, while the Lakers are 4th in the West at 46-30.

Pelicans vs. Lakers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
• Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
• Date: Friday, April 4th
• Betting Odds LAL -13.5, NO +618 | LAL -930 O/U 219.5

The Pelicans Can Win If…

The Pelicans fell to 21-55 on the season after a 114-98 road loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. New Orleans entered the game as +18 point underdogs and managed to keep the game closer than expected. The total points for the game ended at 212, falling short of the 219.5 O/U line.

After a 10-0 run by the Clippers early on, the Pelicans fought back, but L.A. maintained control. New Orleans trailed 83-72 heading into the 4th quarter and couldn’t close the gap, as the Clippers outscored them 31-26 in the final period.

In their 98-point effort against the Clippers, the Pelicans shot 50.6% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 4 threes at an 18.2% rate. Jose Alvarado led the way with 17 points and 10 assists, while Bruce Brown added 16 points, shooting 58.3% from the floor.

Kelly Olynyk contributed 12 points, making 2 threes at 100% efficiency. Alvarado scored 8 of his points in the 2nd quarter, while Antonio Reeves added 7 of his 11 points in the same period.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 1st and 3rd quarters, the Pelicans couldn’t contain the Clippers in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 37 and 31 points, respectively, in a 114-98 loss. New Orleans allowed Los Angeles to shoot 52% from the field.

The Pelicans held the Clippers to 13 made threes on 40% shooting. They sent the Clippers to the line 26 times, where they made 21 free throws. New Orleans finished with 32 defensive rebounds, allowing just 2 offensive boards, while also recording 9 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last three road games, New Orleans has averaged 107 points per game while allowing 128. The team’s record in this stretch was 0-3 while going 2-1.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have gone 3-1-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
• Over their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 2-0-1 vs. the spread.

The Lakers Can Win If…

The Lakers fell to 46-30 on the season after a 123-116 home loss to the Warriors on Thursday. Los Angeles, who entered the game as 1-point favorites, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 239 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 230.5 by 8.5 points.

Golden State took control early, outscoring the Lakers 34-25 in the 2nd quarter. L.A. made a push in the 4th, putting up 39 points to the Warriors’ 35, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an 88-77 deficit heading into the final period.

In their 123-116 loss to the Warriors, the Lakers shot 45.3% from the field but connected on 18 threes at a 38.3% clip. LeBron James led the way with 33 points, 9 assists, and 5 made threes, shooting 62.5% from deep.

Austin Reaves hit 9 threes, finishing with 31 points, including 20 in the 4th quarter. James added 14 points in the 3rd and 11 in the final period.

The Lakers gave up 123 points to the Warriors, who shot 47% from the field. Los Angeles allowed 26 points in the 1st quarter and 28 in the 3rd but struggled in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 34 and 35 points, respectively.

Golden State hit 19 threes at a 45% clip. The Lakers sent the Warriors to the line 31 times, where they made 26 free throws. Los Angeles had 25 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards, finishing with 5 steals and 3 blocks.

• In their last ten games at home, the Lakers have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 4-6 vs. the spread. The team averaged 115 points per game in this stretch.
• Looking back on the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Lakers have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-4.
• In their last three games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Lakers winning this one by a score of 134-58, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Lakers at -13.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 219.5 and our model has the Pelicans and Lakers finishing with a combined 192 points. Our pick is to take the under.
Lakers Target Bounce-Back vs Pelicans with LeBron in Doubt

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Lakers Still Chasing Home-Court Advantage as Playoffs Near

The Los Angeles Lakers are down to their final six games of the regular season, and every matchup counts — especially when it comes to locking up home-court advantage in the first round. Sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference, the Lakers hold a razor-thin edge over the Golden State Warriors, who just took them down in a heated 123-116 battle on Thursday.

LeBron James looked vintage, dropping 33 points while Austin Reaves exploded for a career-best 9 three-pointers and 31 points. Still, it wasn’t enough to avoid LA’s fifth loss in eight games. The Lakers hit 18 triples, but couldn’t overcome the late-game surge from Stephen Curry’s 37-point night.

Both Reaves and James logged 40 minutes on the front end of a back-to-back — and LeBron, still managing a groin issue, says his status for Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans is truly up in the air.

“This was the best I felt since the injury for sure,” James said. “Hopefully I can build on that.”

Catch up on the playoff picture over on our NBA Western Conference odds blog.

Luka Struggles, Pelicans Up Next

A side note from Thursday: Luka Doncic, still feeling elbow soreness, had a rough night. He finished with 19 points but missed all six of his three-point attempts — his first game without a made triple since last season’s finale.

“That performance from me is unacceptable,” Luka admitted.

But the focus quickly turns to Friday, where the Lakers face a struggling Pelicans squad that’s playing hard, even without its stars. With Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum shut down for the year, the Pelicans (21-55) still battled against the Clippers on Wednesday before eventually falling 114-98.

Pelicans Lean on Alvarado, Bench Energy

Despite being short-handed, Jose Alvarado has stepped into a bigger role and continues to bring infectious energy. He dropped 17 points and 10 assists in Wednesday’s loss, while Bruce Brown added 16 points.

The Pelicans shot a solid 50.6% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc (just 4-for-22) and couldn’t overcome 17 turnovers that led to 25 Clippers points. They did, however, win the battle on the glass, outrebounding LA 39-30.

“I’m always gonna bring the energy,” Alvarado said. “Hopefully they go with me — which they are.”

Looking ahead, the Pelicans have three of their final five games at home, including a season-ender against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Want to see how the playoff scenarios stack up for teams like New Orleans and LA? Dive into NBA playoff predictions for deeper analysis.

What to Watch in Lakers vs Pelicans

Will LeBron Play?

All eyes will be on LeBron’s pregame status. If he’s out, look for a heavy dose of Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and maybe even a spark from the bench.

Can the Pelicans Capitalize?

Despite their record, the Pelicans have shown flashes. Alvarado’s hustle and Brown’s two-way play keep things competitive. Their challenge: limiting turnovers and knocking down open threes.

The Bigger Picture

The Lakers have a brutal finish ahead, including back-to-back games in OKC. A win Friday isn’t optional — it’s a necessity to avoid slipping out of home-court advantage.

FAQs

Is LeBron James playing against the Pelicans?

As of now, he’s questionable. His final status will be determined Friday morning.

Why is this game important for the Lakers?

The Lakers are fighting to hold the 4th seed in the West and secure home-court advantage in Round 1.

What’s the Pelicans’ record without Zion and McCollum?

They’ve continued competing hard but sit at 21-55 and are out of playoff contention.

Who is stepping up for New Orleans?

Jose Alvarado and Bruce Brown have been key contributors, especially in the absence of their stars.

What’s next for the Lakers?

They play four of their last six on the road, including two games in OKC — a tough stretch to end the season.

Where can I check more playoff and player prop updates?

Get full coverage via NBA player awards and leader odds on ScoresAndStats.