Anthony Davis is ready to hear the boos from the crowd inside the Smoothie King Center as his Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to hit downtown New Orleans on Wednesday night and face the Pelicans.

Davis will be making his return to the city that drafted him seven years ago for the first time since being traded to the Lakers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball last summer.

The six-time All-Star Davis was quoted when asked about the upcoming match, “It’s going to be me (against the) Pelicans, and then the three guys (Ball, Ingram, and Hart), if they play, against the Lakers. So it’s going to be a great battle. Those guys are going to try to take our heads off just to prove a point.”

Davis and the Lakers are still the NBA’s best at 15-2 and are looking to stretch their winning run to nine while the Pelicans are at the bottom half of the Western Conference with 6-11.

Lebron James and Davis are expected to take turns once more in carrying the load for the red-hot Lakers. In their last game against the Spurs, James put up 33 points and 14 dimes while Davis had 19 markers and 12 boards.

Ingram has proven to be the most reliable option for the Pelicans who are still missing their top rookie Zion Williamson. The 2nd over pick in 2016 is averaging 26.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists so far this season.

Odds:

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming in as 6.5-point favorites in this game while the total is projected at 231.

The Lakers have been absolute killers ATS over the last seven times they faced a Southwest team, losing only once. Negating this, though, is the trend over the last four home games played by the Pelicans where the spread was swept, 4-0.

Mirroring the trend category to the O/U market, the UNDER selection has prevailed four times in the last five games the Lakers played a Southwest team. Interestingly, the same trend and record show in the Pelicans last five home games.

Prediction:

The Los Angeles Lakers will be playing their fourth straight road game. Fatigue may become a factor especially if the Pelicans are able to keep in step. Anthony Davis may be distracted so expect some hiccups from the Purple and Gold in some stretches in this game.

The Lakers are still going to win straight up, but picking the Pelicans in the spread market is worth taking. Go UNDER the total market line. Again, Lebron and friends may be starting to feel the tightness on their legs. Expect them to reserve some of their offensive cards before heading back to LA.

Anthony Davis LeBron James Lakers
LeBron James #23 is congratulated by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after scoring a basket against Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
NBA