Betting tips from AI for New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers, 07 January 2026.

The Lakers are the sensible pick here. New Orleans arrives 8-29 on a brutal seven-game skid and a four-game home losing streak; August Young expects LA to “cruise by at least five” against a depleted Pelicans squad, and the books favor the visitors at 1.49 while New Orleans is priced at 2.72. LA’s 22-11 record, 117 points per game and a 36-21 all-time edge (including a 133-121 December meeting) underline the gap.

FOX Sports paints a tight 120-116 Lakers win and even quotes Luka Doncic’s monster numbers, but that forecast only underscores how the matchup shapes up in LA’s favor: more reliable depth, better spacing and defensive stops late. Given form, head-to-head history and the lines, back the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tonight, all signs point to the Los Angeles Lakers extending their dominance over a struggling New Orleans Pelicans squad. The Pelicans limp in on a brutal seven-game skid, holding the NBA's second-worst record at 8-29, and have shown zero ability to close games or string together defensive stops. This aligns perfectly with August Young's prediction that the Lakers will cruise. FOX Sports analysts even forecast a 120-116 Lakers win, highlighting Luka Doncic's monster production powering LA's attack.

The Lakers, surging at 22-11, boast a superior scoring punch at 117 points per game and a dominant 36-21 all-time edge, including a 133-121 thriller just last month. Despite a few recent stumbles, the Lakers' firepower and the Pelicans' depleted state make the 1.49 odds for LA a solid play. Expect the Lakers to continue their winning ways against a team desperate to snap a four-game home losing streak.

The Lakers look poised to extend the Pelicans' misery in this matchup. With New Orleans mired in a seven-game losing streak and sporting a dismal 8-29 record, they've shown little ability to close games or generate defensive stops. Meanwhile, the Lakers (22-11) continue to impress behind Luka Doncic's stellar production of 33.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game.

LA's offensive firepower (117 PPG) should overwhelm a Pelicans team that's dropped four straight at home. Despite Zion Williamson's individual brilliance, New Orleans lacks the supporting cast to hang with the Lakers' balanced attack. The Lakers' 1.49 odds reflect their clear advantage, while the Pelicans at 2.72 offer little value given their struggles.

History favors the Lakers too, with a commanding 36-21 all-time record against New Orleans, including their recent 133-121 victory. While LA has had occasional stumbles, their core strengths should deliver a comfortable win similar to August Young's prediction of a 5+ point margin.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to dominate the New Orleans Pelicans in this NBA matchup, capitalizing on their superior form and historical edge. With the Pelicans mired in a dismal 8-29 record and a brutal seven-game losing streak, including four straight home defeats, they're desperate but outmatched. Zion Williamson may shine individually, but the squad's inability to string together defensive stops or close games leaves them vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the surging Lakers at 22-11 bring firepower, averaging 117 points per game and boasting a 36-21 all-time advantage over New Orleans, fresh off a 133-121 thriller win in December where they torched from deep. Analysts like August Young predict LA cruising by at least five, while FOX Sports sees a tight 120-116 victory fueled by Luka Doncic's monster stat line of 33.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists—wait, hold up, that's Luka's Dallas magic, but LA's attack echoes that potency with their recent grit over Memphis and Sacramento.

The odds reflect this mismatch: Pelicans at 2.72 scream underdog, while Lakers at 1.49 offer solid value for a $1 bet. Betting on LA to win outright maximizes profit potential against a depleted foe—expect the Purple and Gold to roll.

The Los Angeles Lakers ride a 22-11 surge with elite firepower, averaging 117 points per game to face a reeling New Orleans Pelicans team mired in a seven-game skid and an 8-29 record.

FOX Sports forecasts a tight win, and the Lakers' December 133-121 victory plus a 36-21 all-time edge underscore their dominance, making the 1.49 odds a solid value.

While the Pelicans' 2.72 offers potential, their defensive woes and inability to close games tilt this firmly toward LA.

The Los Angeles Lakers enter this matchup as clear favorites with odds of 1.49, and for good reason. Despite the Pelicans having Zion Williamson, their recent struggles are impossible to ignore. New Orleans is on a seven-game losing streak and sits with the NBA's second-worst record at 8-29. Their inability to close games or defend consistently has been a recurring theme, making them vulnerable against a Lakers squad that averages 117 points per game.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, is surging with a 22-11 record and brings both firepower and experience into this contest. Luka Doncic’s scoring ability (33.7 points per game) and playmaking (8.7 assists per game) provide a significant edge over a depleted Pelicans roster. FOX Sports analysts project a tight Lakers win, but the odds suggest LA could cover an even wider margin. The historical head-to-head record also favors the Lakers, who hold a commanding 36-21 all-time edge over New Orleans.

While betting on the Lakers at 1.49 requires a larger stake for modest returns, their dominance in form, personnel, and history makes them a safer pick. The Pelicans' odds of 2.72 might tempt underdog bettors, but their ongoing skid and lack of defensive cohesion make it hard to trust them in this spot.