NBA Play-In: Lakers-Pelicans Preview, Props & Prediction
Tue Apr 16 2:56pm ET
Field Level Media
The NBA playoffs officially tip off with Tuesday night's play-in game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, who will play host to the one-and-done series two nights after getting thumped at home by the very same opponent.
The Lakers (47-35) enter as the No. 8 seed, and didn't even leave town after Sunday's 124-108 win over the Pelicans (49-33), who had to settle for the No. 7 seed. Tuesday's winner will advance to play the second-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
TRENDING
The Pelicans are consensus 1.5-point favorites despite trailing by as many as 32 points on Sunday in a game that had potential for New Orleans to claim the No. 6 seed and avoid this rematch. It was actually the closest of the four meetings between the teams this season, three of which were won by the Lakers.
New Orleans has home-court advantage, or does it? The Pelicans have dropped their past five home games and haven't won at the Smoothie King Center since March 28.
Los Angeles has predictably drawn 71 percent of the spread-line bets and 60 percent of the money at BetMGM, where the Lakers' +100 moneyline has also been backed by 76 percent of the money. The same spread at BetRivers has seen the Lakers supported by a smaller majority with 57 percent of the bets and 55 percent of the money.
Prediction: LeBron James has owned Zion Williamson in their head-to-head matchups, and the veteran Lakers are poised to handle the Pelicans for a fourth time in five tries this season. --Lakers 118, Pelicans 110
PROP PICK
LeBron James Over 26.5 Points (-115 at BetMGM): James averaged 25.7 points during the regular season, which he capped by averaging 32.7 points over the past three games. That included 28 points in 38 minutes on Sunday. James scored just 21 in a Feb. 9 home win over the Pelicans, but he did tally 35 in a New Year's Eve win in New Orleans and had 30 in an in-season tournament win over the Pelicans earlier that month.
THE NEWS
James isn't feeling comfortable about the repeat matchup even though his squad just steamrolled the Pelicans on the latter's home floor.
"Tuesday's game is going to be extremely hard, extremely difficult, extremely physical," James said. "I've always known that, when you play a playoff series -- and I look at this like a two-game playoff series -- if you win that first game, a team has multiple days to kind of sit on that feeling, or sit with that taste in their mouth of defeat.
"So they're going to be extremely ready for us and we have to come in with the same sense of urgency that we had the previous game."
Pelicans coach Willie Green certainly isn't going to forget the bitter taste between now and tipoff.
"We have to come back with the right mentality," Green said. "They were the aggressors. We have to be the aggressive team. We have to be the more physical team. We have to keep them out of our paint and make them take contested shots and rebound the ball.
"They played with a ton of force. They came out right away. At least for the first half, they punched us right in the mouth and kept going."
James recorded 28 points, a season-best 17 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals during the easy win. Anthony Davis had 30 points on 13-of-17 shooting and collected 11 rebounds before leaving with back spasms just past the midway point of the final quarter.
Williamson had just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting while often being guarded by James, and New Orleans gave up 70 first-half points after returning home from a 4-0 road trip.
INJURY REPORT
Listed as questionable, Davis maintained there was no way he would sit out against the Pelicans, the team with which he spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career.
"No doubt that I'm going to play," Davis said. "Get some treatment, keep it loose, just see how I feel over the next 24-36 hours."
New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram (left knee) returned from a 12-game absence to score 13 points in 23 minutes Sunday. Ingram figures to be available for more minutes on Tuesday.
KEY STAT
CJ McCollum has been a standout this month for the Pelicans and he scored 25 points on Sunday for his seventh straight game of 25 or more points.
McCollum had topped 30 four times during the stretch and is 42 of 80 (52.5) from 3-point range during the seven-game hot streak.
"We will be better in the next game. It was a good road trip. We got four wins on the road," he said. "Now we have to take care of business on home court."
- Bucks' Damian Lillard upgraded to questionable for Game 6
- Bulls G Alex Caruso collects NBA's Hustle Award
- Sixers owners buy up tickets to block Knicks fans
- Wolves coach Chris Finch expected to be in Denver with team
- Kristaps Porzingis (calf) to miss rest of Heat series
- LeBron James Next Team Odds: Stephen Curry pairing in future?
- Bucks' Doc Rivers: Giannis, Dame 'very, very, very close' to return
- Minnesota's Mike Conley wins 2nd Teammate of Year award
- NBA roundup: 76ers fend off Knicks in OT, keep season alive
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard out for Game 5
- Celtics F Kristaps Porzingis (calf) ruled out of Game 5
- Knicks F Bojan Bogdanovic out for remainder of playoffs
- Hobbled Heat rule out rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. for Game 5
- Clippers' Kawhi Leonard ruled out for Game 5 vs. Mavericks
- Pelicans VP laments Zion injury timing, vows 'urgency' in offseason
- Celtics' Brad Stevens named NBA Executive of the Year
- Bronny James, Zach Edey among 195 early NBA draft entrees
- 76ers' Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. miss shootaround ahead of Game 5
- Darvin Ham, Lakers expected to part ways
- Post-op could mean Wolves' coach out for Game 1
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) will play in Game 6 against Indiana on Thursday. Milwaukee gets its superstar guard back after Lillard sat out two games with an Achilles injury. He's set to play a huge role on Thursday as the Bucks try to fight off elimination once again. Lillard is averaging 32.3 points and 5.3 assists in the series, shooting 44.4 percent from outside.
Orlando Magic guard/forward Gary Harris (hamstring) is considered a game-time call for Friday's Game 6 against Cleveland. He suffered a right hamstring strain in Game 5, exiting the contest early. Harris has started all five games for the Magic in the playoffs, averaging 26.2 minutes. However, he hasn't been very productive, posting only 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony could get more playing opportunities on Friday, but the two haven't made any noise in the playoffs and would be risky choices for DFS managers.
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso was awarded the NBA's Hustle Award on Thursday afternoon. Always known for his effort and grit, the 30-year-old earned recognition for what he brings to the court consistently. For the season, Caruso averaged 10.1 points per game but made his biggest impact on the defensive end by averaging one block and 1.7 steals per game. He made the All-Defensive first team last season and now has been rewarded for his hustle in 2024. Finishing in second place in the voting was Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski came in third place.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (ribs) did not participate in practice on Thursday as the team prepares for a pivotal Game 6 versus the Orlando Magic. The 26-year-old did not play in Game 5 and continues to suffer from a nagging rib injury. This is not encouraging news for the starting center, as Allen has been a difference-maker all season long. In this series, he has averaged 17 points over four contests while hauling in over 13 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers will attempt to close out the Magic on Friday, and if Allen can't recover in time, the team will likely rely on Marcus Morris Sr. and Tristan Thompson to take on more minutes in the frontcourt.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) is considered questionable to play in Thursday's game versus the Indiana Pacers. The star guard was originally listed as doubtful to play on Wednesday's injury report, but the latest news is certainly an intriguing storyline. Lillard has not suited up since he hurt his right Achilles in Game 3 of the series. With the Bucks facing elimination, his return to the court would be a huge lift for Game 6 in Indiana. His status is worth monitoring as we get closer to tip-off on Thursday.
Boston Celtics power forward/center Al Horford replaced Kristaps Porzingis (calf) in the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Miami Heat. The dominant team performance putting the game out of hand early limited Horford's time on the court to 22 minutes. Boston's 37-year-old veteran still delivered eight points, six rebounds, and three assists to help build the lead. Horford will continue to start in the next round with Porzingis missing several more games. The Celtics must rely on Horford and reserve Luke Kornet as their centers against a tougher Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic opponent.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the team's Game 5 win versus the Miami Heat. The five-time All-Defensive Team guard closed a quiet offensive series by shooting 3-for-5 from the field on Wednesday. Holiday helped keep the opposing guards in check with his stellar defense, but he only averaged 7.8 points on eight shot attempts per game in the series. Derrick White becoming a bigger offensive force in the backcourt limits Holiday's fantasy ceiling. However, Kristaps Porzingis (calf) missing several more games in the next round could be a fantasy boost to improve Holiday's points and rebounds in a more challenging series.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White had a great game with 25 points, five rebounds, and two assists in Game 5's win over the Miami Heat. The 29-year-old tied Jaylen Brown for the most points scored as Boston dominated the game from start to finish. White has stepped up the whole series by averaging 22.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the five games. The Celtics treat White as their third offensive option behind Jayson Tatum and Brown in most games without Kristaps Porzingis. White's stock continuing to rise, and he'll be a strong fantasy option in the next round due to Porzingis (calf) missing more games.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac missed only one of his eight shots to produce a 15-point outing in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to Dallas. Across 26 minutes of action, he also recorded six rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Zubac's performance was the lone bright spot for the Clippers in a 30-point loss, particularly his start. The Croatian big man scored eight points in the first six minutes. Zubac has been strong throughout the series and is probably the only player on the team who's not disappointed with his postseason production. He's netted 16.0 points per game with 61 percent shooting and is averaging 9.0 rebounds with 1.0 steals.
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook had another miserable outing against the Mavericks in Game 5 on Wednesday, posting six points on 2-for-11 shooting in a 123-93 loss. He missed all three shots from deep and didn't register any assists in 16 minutes of action while grabbing five rebounds. Westbrook performed well in the series opener, but he's had a horrible four-game spell since. The former MVP has been limited to 6-for-35 shooting, notching just 19 total points. His performances have been a major letdown for the Clippers, who face elimination in Game 6 on Friday.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden finished with only seven points in Wednesday's beatdown by the Mavericks, shooting 2-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-7 from deep. The veteran star also had four rebounds and seven assists with four turnovers. Overall, Harden has played well in the series, and Game 4 was probably one of the best postseason performances of his career, but the Clippers came completely unstuck in front of their fans Wednesday night. Tyronn Lue's team now faces elimination in Game 6 on Friday. With Kawhi Leonard (knee) on the shelf, Harden and Paul George need to come up with something special for the Clippers to extend the series.
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Paul George shot only 4-for-13 from the field to finish with 15 points in Wednesday's 123-93 loss to Dallas. After going off for 33 points in Game 4, George struggled to get going offensively, although he managed to save his fantasy line a bit by getting a game-high 11 rebounds and handing out four assists. The Clippers star is shooting 41 percent from downtown in the series but has been wildly inconsistent with his performances. Sitting on a scoring average of 19.8 points per game, George is on track to have his least productive playoff campaign since 2013.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber brought a flamethrower to Wednesday's Game 5 against the Clippers, finishing 5-for-7 from downtown during a 15-point effort. He had as many triples as the Clippers' starting five combined as Dallas dominated in Los Angeles and took a 3-2 series lead. Kleber bagged three rebounds and an assist as well in 19 minutes off the bench. This was by far his best performance of the 2024 playoffs, and it's unlikely Kleber will repeat it soon. However, his three-point shooting has been top-notch throughout the series. After going 0-for-3 in Game 1, Kleber has missed only three of his 12 attempts from deep.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving had a tough time from behind the arc on Wednesday against the Clippers but played an effective game to help the team grab a 3-2 series lead with a blowout win. He finished 1-for-7 with his three-pointers. However, Irving registered a game-high plus-35 rating as he notched 14 points with 6-for-14 shooting, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals. The one-two punch of Irving and Luka Doncic has been deadly in the series, and Dallas finds itself in a great position to grab a second-round ticket on Friday in Game 6.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic eased his way to 35 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists in Wednesday's dominant 123-93 win over the Clippers. The Mavericks star might be battling a knee issue and an illness, but he pulled out some of his best moves in the game to push his scoring average in the series to 30.2 points. Doncic has also tallied 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the first-round matchup, with the Clippers incapable of doing anything to slow him down.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum delivered 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists in the team's Game 5 series-clinching win over the Miami Heat. Tatum did not have to showcase his usual scoring excellence with the game out of hand early, but he still produced a double-double in just 32 minutes. The 26-year-old averaged 39.5 minutes per game in the series before tonight's game to show that the blowout impacted his fantasy output and time on the court. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) missing more games could mean more fantasy production from Tatum in the next round.
Boston Celtics forward/guard Jaylen Brown scored 25 points in the team's Game 5 victory over the Miami Heat. Brown had his third game of the series with at least 20 points to help the Celtics advance to the next round. Boston had a relatively easy night on the job by taking control early and never letting up. The 27-year-old contributed to this dominant outing by shooting 11-for-19 from the field to lead the way. He also added five rebounds and two assists. Boston will see Brown having a higher ceiling in the second round, with starter Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to miss several more games.
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic had eight points, seven boards, and four assists in Wednesday's meeting with the Celtics. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't enough, as Boston closed out the series in five games. At any rate, the 2022 No. 27 overall pick picked things up toward the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He ended the year by averaging 12.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in eight games in April. It appears Erik Spoelstra could give Jovic regular playing time next season, assuming he remains in Miami. However, the 20-year-old has a way to go before earning the trust of fantasy managers.
Miami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) finished with just two points in Wednesday's loss to Boston. Robinson admittedly wasn't healthy for this series. On a positive note, he finished the regular season by averaging 12.9 points, a significant upgrade from the 2022-23 campaign. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old has had issues staying healthy over the last few seasons, which is something for fantasy managers to consider moving ahead. There's also a chance Robinson won't be in Miami next season, considering the Heat have been trying to move him for years. Yet, a change of scenery could do him good, especially if he gets more minutes elsewhere.
Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin finished with 10 points in Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. He added four boards and one assist. The 28-year-old was one of Miami's top rotational pieces during the regular season. He averaged a career-high 10 points. Unfortunately, he was limited to 64 games due to injury. That's been the theme for Martin throughout his career. He also isn't a consistent fantasy producer. Assuming he remains in Miami, he may battle for minutes with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Martin's injury woes over the years are another reason fantasy managers may look the other way.