Lakers vs Pelicans Prediction & Odds (Dec. 1, 2025): Luka Dončić In, LeBron Out as LA Heavy Home Favorite

The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans meet again in Los Angeles tonight, December 1, 2025, in a matchup that highlights just how far these Western Conference teams have moved in opposite directions. The Lakers enter at 14-4, sitting near the top of the conference, while the Pelicans limp in at 3-17, mired at the bottom and riding a four-game road skid.

Tonight’s contest is the second meeting between these teams this season, with the Lakers having already claimed a 118-104 win in New Orleans on November 15. In that game, Austin Reaves erupted for 31 points, while new franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić posted 24 points and 12 assists to control the tempo.

The major storyline for Honyve readers is star availability. Despite some recent injury chatter, Dončić is expected to play tonight against the Pelicans, giving Los Angeles its primary offensive engine on the perimeter. However, the Lakers are managing the workload of veteran icon LeBron James; he is being held out due to left foot injury management, a precaution as the team eyes a deep spring run.

Even without James, the Lakers are heavily favored. Oddsmakers have installed Los Angeles as a double-digit favorite, reflecting both its 8-2 surge over the last 10 games and New Orleans’ struggles against Western Conference opponents. The Lakers have leaned on their size and paint scoring all season, averaging a league-best 53.3 points in the lane behind big man Deandre Ayton.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, bring their own interior presence. Rookie center Yves Missi has helped make New Orleans one of the NBA’s best offensive rebounding teams, ranking third in the league with 13.6 offensive boards per game. Forward Zion Williamson remains the focal point of the offense, averaging around 25 points over his last 10 outings, but the team’s 1-15 mark against the West underscores its inability to translate individual production into wins.

From a stylistic standpoint, this matchup puts the Lakers’ efficient, star-driven attack against a Pelicans group still searching for identity and health. For Los Angeles, tonight is about taking care of business without James, keeping Dončić in rhythm, and preserving momentum. For New Orleans, any sign of defensive resolve or late-game competitiveness could qualify as a step forward in what has become a brutally challenging start to the season.