Los Angeles Clippers (41-23) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (39-26)
March 15, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -5; Over/Under: +223.5
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The Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Friday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after blowing past the Bulls in a 126-111 road win on Thursday. Paul George caught fire early and drained six 3-pointers to lead the team with 28 points on 11 of 12 shooting, Kawhi Leonard added 27 points with five rebounds and three assists, Norman Powell chipped in with 18 points off the bench while Bones Hyland tallied 17 points with 11 assists and four steals. As a team, the Clippers shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field and 20 of 40 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter to jump out to an early double digit and they just kept their foot on the gas for the entire game and led by as many as 21 points at one stage.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in pretty good form lately as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after having their four-game win streak halted by the Cavaliers in a 116-95 loss on Wednesday. Zion Williamson led the team with 33 points on 13 of 21 shooting, Brandon Ingram added 20 points with five rebounds and five assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 11 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Pelicans shot 43 percent from the field and just four of 22 from the 3-point line as they fell behind early after the Cavaliers closed the first quarter on an 11-2 run and things only got worse in the second half where they got outscored by 63-50 to get completely blown out at home in the end. The Pelicans will play against the Trail Blazers, Nets, and Magic after this game.
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New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have won each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last seven games when playing with a rest advantage against the Clippers.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last eight Friday games at Smoothie King Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Team Facts
- The Clippers have won each of their last seven road games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Pelicans.
- Each of the Clippers’ last six games against the Pelicans following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction
The Clippers could be shorthanded for this one with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard both listed as questionable, while the Pelicans are coming into this one with a full squad once again. The Clippers could be a little banged up for this one, so you should definintely check the lineups before tipoff, but assuming that the Clippers are without Leonard or Harden, I’m more comfortable going with the Pelicans to take advantage at home.
