Clippers vs. Pelicans Prediction & Odds
The fifth-seeded L.A. Clippers travel to New Orleans to face the 8th-seeded New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night at 8:30 PM ET. Can the Pelicans cover the 3-point spread as home favorites?
The Los Angeles Clippers are 41-37 on the season. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Clippers are 39-39 ATS on the year.
The New Orleans Pelicans are 39-38 on the season. They’re 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are 37-39-1 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
503 Los Angeles Clippers (+3) at 504 New Orleans Pelicans (-3); O/U 227
8:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 1, 2023
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Clippers vs. Pelicans Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 61% of public bettors are currently backing the Pelicans -3 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
Los Angeles Clippers DFS Spin
The Clippers will be without their leading scorer Paul George on Saturday. George has a right knee sprain. He’s averaging 23.8 points per game for Los Angeles this season.
Clippers guard Eric Gordon left Friday night’s game against the Grizzlies with right hip soreness, and he’s officially listed as questionable for Saturday’s tilt with the Pelicans. Los Angeles forward Marcus Morris Sr. missed Friday’s game with an illness, and his status is up in the air for Saturday’s tilt as he’s in the league’s health and safety protocol.
It’s worth mentioning that Saturday’s game will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Clippers, and their star forward Kawhi Leonard hasn’t played in both games of a back-to-back all season.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin
New Orleans has been without their star forward Zion Williamson for multiple months. He’ll remain out Saturday as he’s dealing with a right hamstring strain. Williamson is leading the Pelicans in scoring this season with 26 points per game.
Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is second on the team in scoring with 24.3 points per game. The former #2 overall pick out of Duke is also posting respectable counting numbers to the tune of 5.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 made three-pointers, and 5 made free throws per game. He poured in 32 points in the Pelicans’ last game against the Clippers on March 25th and could be in for another big day if both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sit out for Los Angeles on Saturday.
Clippers vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 6-22 ATS in their last 28 games against the Pelicans in New Orleans.
Los Angeles is 17-40 ATS in their last 57 games against New Orleans.
New Orleans is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 day of rest.
New Orleans is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Clippers vs. Pelicans NBA Prediction
If Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Eric Gordon, and Marcus Morris Sr. all miss Saturday’s game, the Clippers will be without 4 of their top 8 scorers. Los Angeles will be forced to rely on players like Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook Bones Hyland, and Ivica Zubac to score and I doubt they can keep up with the Pelicans scoring trio of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III.
New Orleans has played the Clippers twice already this season, and the Pelicans won both matchups by 21 points apiece. I’m not sure if New Orleans will win by that many points on Saturday, but I do believe they’ll be able to win by more than a possession. I’ll lay the points with the Pelicans at home.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -3
