The edge goes to the Lakers on the road against the Pelicans on Thursday, December 31, at about 60%. That is a real edge, but the Pelicans are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 60%, with a projected score of Los Angeles Lakers 114, New Orleans Pelicans 112. The rating gap is 168 points in favor of the Lakers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pelicans on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 40 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
Recent form
The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2. The Pelicans are 0-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.4.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
The Pelicans' best recent win was 156-137 at home against UTA.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 25, 2026, Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 25, 2026, and Jake LaRavia (LAL), expected back Oct 25, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Yves Missi (NOP). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Lakers lead 7-0, with the Lakers outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 12.1 points per game. The last meeting was NOP 101, LAL 110.