The Pelicans are going through tough times. The team seems to be collecting misfortunes, and their four-game losing streak is proof of that. In their last match, they lost to Memphis (104:107), despite Trey Murphy’s impressive performance (27 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists). However, it wasn’t enough.
The injury situation also adds to their struggles. Dejounte Murray is out for the season, and Kelly Olynyk is also sidelined. This significantly weakens the team and lowers their chances against the Clippers.
Key Players for New Orleans:
Expected Lineup: CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Bruce Brown, Yves Missi
Strengths: fast transition play, strong presence in the paint
Achievements: the team hasn’t won any major titles yet, but they have the potential to make the playoffs in the future.
Unlike their opponents, the Clippers are on an upswing. They have won three games in a row, with their last victory being particularly dramatic. Against Sacramento, they secured a win in overtime (111:110). James Harden showcased his brilliance, scoring 29 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac recorded a powerful double-double (22 points, 14 rebounds).
Key Players for the Clippers:
Expected Lineup: James Harden, Chris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanović, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac
Strengths: experienced leaders who can decide the outcome of a game, a well-balanced offense and defense, strong perimeter shooting
Achievements: the Clippers are regular playoff contenders and consistently compete for high positions in the standings.
In regular-season matchups, these teams have faced each other 76 times: Pelicans won 43 games, Clippers won 33 games. Additionally, in their last 10 encounters, the teams averaged 224 points per game, suggesting a high-scoring matchup and potential value in betting on total points over. Based on their current form, the Clippers appear to be the clear favorites. They have found their rhythm and are playing well together. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are struggling with injuries and inconsistency.
If Kawhi Leonard and James Harden perform at their usual level, New Orleans will have a hard time keeping up. Expect a Los Angeles Clippers win by a margin of 7–10 points. Predicted Score: 112:104 in favor of the Clippers. Best Betting Options: Clippers to win. Total points over 224.
The Clippers are in great form, while the Pelicans continue to struggle. Unless an upset occurs, Tyronn Lue’s team should confidently secure the win. However, basketball is full of surprises—perhaps Zion Williamson will put on a show and attempt to carry his team to victory. It’s going to be an exciting game!
This season for the New Orleans Pelicans feels like an endless blues ballad of disappointment. Willie Green’s squad continues to stumble, suffering defeat after defeat, and their hopes of making the play-in tournament are fading fast. The Clippers, on the other hand, have regained momentum after a mid-season slump and are pushing to break into the top six in the West. With a deeper roster and better form, the Californians have a clear edge, while the Pelicans, missing Murray and Olynyk, look significantly weakened.
Prediction: Clippers to win with a -5.5 handicap (including overtime) at odds of 1.78.
