LA Clippers (18-13) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (5-27)
December 30, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +6.5; Over/Under: +219.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The LA Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Monday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs LA Clippers Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs LA Clippers Pick.
LA Clippers Betting Preview
The LA Clippers beat the Grizzlies and Warriors, and they play the Spurs, Thunder, and Hawks next. The LA Clippers are averaging 109.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 107.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Norman Powell is averaging 24.2 points and 3.3 rebounds, while James Harden is averaging 21.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. Ivica Zubac is the third double-digit scorer and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The LA Clippers are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Clippers are allowing 33.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.1 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Rockets and Grizzlies, and they play the Heat, Wizards, and Timberwolves next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 106.5 points on 43.8 percent shooting and allowing 118 points on 48.5 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.7 points and 8 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 33 percent from beyond the arc and 76.3 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last 10 road games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 games following a home loss.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last 12 road games following a home win.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Clippers’ last six road games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III ranks 7th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (88.7%) this season.
- C.J. McCollum ranks 35th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (2.6) this season.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Ivica Zubac ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (12.5) this season.
- Norman Powell ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (48.5%).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (11.1).
- The Clippers rank T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (67.7%).
- The Clippers rank 29th in the league for turnover percentage this season (14.9%).
New Orleans Pelicans vs LA Clippers Prediction
The New Orleans Pelicans have been fade material all season, and there’s no reason to stop now. The Pelicans are still banged up, they don’t defend, and they don’t cover numbers despite being big dogs nightly. The Pels are 11-21 ATS on the season. The LA Clippers have covered 4 of their last 5 games, and they need to take advantage of games like this to gain ground in a stacked West. With nine straight losses, the Pelicans look like a team that’s all but given up on the season. I’ll lay the points with the Clippers.
