New Orleans at Los Angeles

The Lakers have dominated most opponents, but things are different without Dwight Howard in the middle, and with Kobe Bryant remaining on the sidelines. They had beaten Minnesota 22 straight times, and gave up 47 first quarter points on their way to a 22-point loss. I think that will give them a greater focus on the defensive end, but there are just not enough answers on the offensive end to make enough difference. New Orleans' Anthony Davis has emerged for the Pelicans as a big-time player in his second year. Davis has five double-doubles on the season already and dropped 32 on the Lakers while collecting 12 boards in a win already this season against them. Steve Nash continues to battle back problems, and the Lakers simply don't have enough answers. Pao Gasol is averaging just 7.3 points per game in his last three, connecting on 9-34 from the field. The Lakers are now just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 all important conference games, and have played four straight to the UNDER when following a 10-point or larger loss. The Pelicans won't be intimidated here, taking the money in five of their last six trips to LA. While the defensive effort will likely be better here for the home team, there just aren't enough answers on the other end right now. Take New Orleans and play the UNDER.