Venue & Timing
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET
Context: NBA Cup Group Play, Western Conference
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers:
LeBron James: Out (sciatica)
Gabe Vincent: Out (ankle)
Adou Thiero: Out (knee)
New Orleans Pelicans:
Zion Williamson: Day-to-day (hamstring)
Dejounte Murray: Out (leg)
Jordan Poole: Out (knee)
Key Player Matchups
Anthony Davis vs. Pelicans Frontcourt: Davis anchors the Lakers’ offense and defense, averaging over 24 PPG and 11 RPG. His rim protection will be critical against a shorthanded Pelicans squad.
Austin Reaves vs. Pelicans Guards: With LeBron out, Reaves’ perimeter shooting and playmaking become vital.
Brandon Ingram vs. Lakers Wings: Ingram remains New Orleans’ primary scorer, averaging 22 PPG, but faces tough defensive assignments from Davis and Rui Hachimura.
Team Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers:
Last 5 Games: W–L–W–W–W
Offense: Averaging 116 PPG, balanced scoring from Davis, Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell.
Defense: Allowing 110 PPG, top-10 in defensive efficiency.
New Orleans Pelicans:
Last 5 Games: L–L–L–W–W
Offense: Averaging 108 PPG, struggling without Zion and Murray.
Defense: Allowing 121 PPG, bottom-5 in efficiency.
Series History
2024–25 Season: Lakers won all three meetings, including a 124–108 win on Apr 4, 2025.
Trend: Lakers have won 7 of the last 8 matchups, dominating the series since 2023.
Betting Trends
Lakers: 3–2 ATS in last five, covering in wins.
Pelicans: 2–3 ATS in last five, but often fail to cover against elite teams.
Totals: Lakers games trending Under, Pelicans games trending Over due to defensive lapses.
Summary: The Lakers enter this NBA Cup matchup as heavy favorites, with Anthony Davis leading a balanced roster against a depleted Pelicans squad. New Orleans’ injuries and defensive struggles make it difficult to keep pace.
Prediction: Lakers 118–106.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Lakers – 10.5
New Orleans Pelicans 229.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, November 13, 2025
