Bet On This Cross-Sport Parlay ( ) for the Weekend
Best Bet: Parlay Lakers ATS & Scarlet Knights ATS (Odds TBA)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 6 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans
Missing Zion Williamson
It has become obvious that New Orleans lacks sufficient scoring depth to make up for the absence of star forward Zion Williamson.
Currently, they are suffering a 10-game losing streak.
While their defense has plenty of problems, they especially miss Zion's unique rim-attacking prowess on offense.
The reduced threat that their offense poses in Zion's absence is reflected in the following statistic: before Zion's injury, New Orleans was tied for fifth in offensive rating; since Zion's injury, the Pelicans rank 26thin offensive rating.
Key Laker Defender
Whereas New Orleans will miss its top scorer, its leading point-getter, the Lakers have their star defender healthy.
Center Anthony Davis, who has been a member of four NBA All-Defensive teams, is well-reputed to be a top-level shot-blocker.
The rim protection that he provides will be decisive against a Pelican offense that is allergic to attempting three-pointers -- New Orleans attempts the second-fewest per game.
Instead, the Pelicans rely on scoring inside, where they will have to contend with the Lakers' elite shot-blocker without having Zion's star power to help them.
Laker Offense
On offense, the Lakers are likewise characteristically inclined to attack inside.
They attempt the most field goals within five feet of the basket.
Los Angeles is built to thrive in this space.
LeBron James, of course, excels at scoring in the paint.
While LeBron averages 30.1 points per game, Davis scores 26.9 points per game while likewise relying on scoring inside.
Davis relies on off-ball movement, post-up play, and other things to be a top-level scorer near the basket.
The third key Laker scorer is Russell Westbrook, who is known for his explosiveness that helps make him difficult to stop when he drives the basketball.
New Orleans' Defensive Outlook
The Pelicans wish they still had top rim protector Steven Adams for this game.
They rank last-place at limiting opposing field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
Their lack of rim protection makes them completely vulnerable to L.A.'s inside scoring, which will help the Lakers outpace the Zion-less Pelicans.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at noon ET at Madison Square Garden in New York
The First Meeting
Michigan State won the first meeting between these teams 70-57.
Superior Spartan shooting from behind the arc was able to mask the team's difficulty with scoring inside.
To be exact, the Spartans converted an absurd 12 of 22 three-point attempts.
They thus won despite failing to muster more than seven free throw attempts and despite shooting 42.4 percent (14 of 33) inside the arc.
Rutgers' Interior Defense
With the Spartans playing away from home, I find it unlikely that they show the same aptitude behind the arc that they did in the first game.
Indeed, in their last three road games -- all of which they lost by nine or more points -- they failed to make half as many threes as they did in the first game against Rutgers.
But relying on scoring inside against the Scarlet Knights is no recipe for success.
The Scarlet Knights own one of the nation's best interior defenses and the top one in the Big Ten -- they ranks second in their conference at limiting opposing two-point percentage -- because they are characteristically scrappy and possess monstrous, skilled shot-blockers.
Most prominently, center Clifford Omoruyi boasts the nation's 30th-highest block rate.
Passing
Michigan State prides itself on using ball movement to manipulate spaces and create open passing lanes for teammates.
But Rutgers' length -- the Scarlet Knights rank 15thin height --poses a significant problem.
With their long arms, they prevent opponents from easily making the passes that they often perceive the need to make in order to score.
Rutgers' Offensive Outlook
Michigan State's defense doesn't bring the same man-to-man intensity on the road, where it has allowed 75 or more points in three straight contests.
The Spartans will struggle to contain a Rutgers offense that has exceeded 80 points in multiple contests, while benefitting from improved shooting and having multiple guys step up to be threatening scorers and, perhaps more prominently, effective distributors and sharers of the basketball.
Best Bet: Parlay Lakers ATS & Scarlet Knights ATS (Odds TBA)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 6 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans
Missing Zion Williamson
It has become obvious that New Orleans lacks sufficient scoring depth to make up for the absence of star forward Zion Williamson.
Currently, they are suffering a 10-game losing streak.
While their defense has plenty of problems, they especially miss Zion's unique rim-attacking prowess on offense.
The reduced threat that their offense poses in Zion's absence is reflected in the following statistic: before Zion's injury, New Orleans was tied for fifth in offensive rating; since Zion's injury, the Pelicans rank 26thin offensive rating.
Key Laker Defender
Whereas New Orleans will miss its top scorer, its leading point-getter, the Lakers have their star defender healthy.
Center Anthony Davis, who has been a member of four NBA All-Defensive teams, is well-reputed to be a top-level shot-blocker.
The rim protection that he provides will be decisive against a Pelican offense that is allergic to attempting three-pointers -- New Orleans attempts the second-fewest per game.
Instead, the Pelicans rely on scoring inside, where they will have to contend with the Lakers' elite shot-blocker without having Zion's star power to help them.
Laker Offense
On offense, the Lakers are likewise characteristically inclined to attack inside.
They attempt the most field goals within five feet of the basket.
Los Angeles is built to thrive in this space.
LeBron James, of course, excels at scoring in the paint.
While LeBron averages 30.1 points per game, Davis scores 26.9 points per game while likewise relying on scoring inside.
Davis relies on off-ball movement, post-up play, and other things to be a top-level scorer near the basket.
The third key Laker scorer is Russell Westbrook, who is known for his explosiveness that helps make him difficult to stop when he drives the basketball.
New Orleans' Defensive Outlook
The Pelicans wish they still had top rim protector Steven Adams for this game.
They rank last-place at limiting opposing field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
Their lack of rim protection makes them completely vulnerable to L.A.'s inside scoring, which will help the Lakers outpace the Zion-less Pelicans.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at noon ET at Madison Square Garden in New York
The First Meeting
Michigan State won the first meeting between these teams 70-57.
Superior Spartan shooting from behind the arc was able to mask the team's difficulty with scoring inside.
To be exact, the Spartans converted an absurd 12 of 22 three-point attempts.
They thus won despite failing to muster more than seven free throw attempts and despite shooting 42.4 percent (14 of 33) inside the arc.
Rutgers' Interior Defense
With the Spartans playing away from home, I find it unlikely that they show the same aptitude behind the arc that they did in the first game.
Indeed, in their last three road games -- all of which they lost by nine or more points -- they failed to make half as many threes as they did in the first game against Rutgers.
But relying on scoring inside against the Scarlet Knights is no recipe for success.
The Scarlet Knights own one of the nation's best interior defenses and the top one in the Big Ten -- they ranks second in their conference at limiting opposing two-point percentage -- because they are characteristically scrappy and possess monstrous, skilled shot-blockers.
Most prominently, center Clifford Omoruyi boasts the nation's 30th-highest block rate.
Passing
Michigan State prides itself on using ball movement to manipulate spaces and create open passing lanes for teammates.
But Rutgers' length -- the Scarlet Knights rank 15thin height --poses a significant problem.
With their long arms, they prevent opponents from easily making the passes that they often perceive the need to make in order to score.
Rutgers' Offensive Outlook
Michigan State's defense doesn't bring the same man-to-man intensity on the road, where it has allowed 75 or more points in three straight contests.
The Spartans will struggle to contain a Rutgers offense that has exceeded 80 points in multiple contests, while benefitting from improved shooting and having multiple guys step up to be threatening scorers and, perhaps more prominently, effective distributors and sharers of the basketball.
