LA Clippers (34-34) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (23-46)
March 18, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -1.5; Over/Under: 232.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Clippers invade the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs. Clippers prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs. Clippers pick.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers look to have cooled off from their four-game win streak, as they are now looking to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Spurs in a 119-115 loss on Monday. Darius Garland led the team with 25 points and 10 assists, Jordan Miller added 22 points with nine rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting off the bench, and Bennedict Mathurin chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter to take an early 14-point lead, but they really let themselves down in the second quarter, where they got outscored by 37-15 to trail by as many as 24 points at one stage. The Clippers would rally in the second half to cut the deficit to just four points before they ran out of time.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in decent shape, as they’ve won four of their last six games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Mavericks in a 129-111 win on Monday. Zion Williamson led the team with 27 points on 11 of 13 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 23 points on eight of 18 shooting, and Trey Murphy III and Jeremiah Fears each scored 17 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field and 11 of 35 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running in this one and poured in 67 points in the first half to take an 11-point lead into halftime and they just kept their foot on the gas right till the end to secure the blowout win at home.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won each of their last eight games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Clippers have lost eight of their last 10 night games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last nine games against the Clippers following a home win.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine Wednesday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents following a win.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last 12 games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 home games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Pelicans’ last 10 home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Clippers’ last four road games following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Zion Williamson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (15.8) this season.
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- John Collins ranks 1st amongst qualified centers for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
- Kris Dunn ranks 3rd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—trailing by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (3972) this season.
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.6).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (82.8%).
Pelicans vs Clippers Prediction
The Clippers have ruled out Bradley Beal and Bennedict Mathurin with Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland both questionable, while the Pelicans have ruled out Bryce McGowens with Dejounte Murray listed as questionable. The Clippers have already beaten the Pelicans twice this season and the last meeting was back on Mar 1, where they won by 137-117. The Pelicans have been on a nice run lately; they are relatively healthy compared to the Clippers and I think they can get some payback with a narrow win and cover at home in this spot, especially if Murray is able to suit up.
