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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

The Western Conference Play-In Tournament will conclude on Friday night with a compelling elimination game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers. Coverage begins from L. A.’s Crypto.com Arena at 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Score Prediction

Clippers 116, Pelicans 106

Best Bets

Clippers -4 (-110) at DraftKings

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Predictions

After finishing 11th in the West with a record of 31-41 SU last year, New Orleans briefly kept that same pace with another underwhelming start to this season, as the Pelicans opened with a frustrating 14-26 SU and 18-22 ATS skid – with 16 of those SU losses coming by 10+ PTS.

New Orleans has played decent basketball since the trade deadline though, considering the Pelicans boast modest records of 23-19 SU and 24-17-1 ATS across their last 43 games – while scoring 116.1 OPPG and allowing just 109.7 DPPG during that timeframe.

On the other hand, the Clippers posted a surprisingly strong start despite the absence of five-time All-Pro Kawhi Leonard, as Los Angeles kicked things off with a solid 16-15 SU run – with ten of those victories coming by 10+ PTS.

However, Los Angeles was incredibly inconsistent during Paul George’s recent 25-game absence, considering the Clippers enter Friday’s Play-In game riding a relatively pedestrian 25-26 SU and 26-25 ATS skid – while scoring just 109.7 OPPG and surrendering 110.8 DPPG across that window.

I’ll back L. A. here, as the Clippers are 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS since PG’s return, while tallying 124.4 OPPG and allowing just 109.1 DPPG during that span – likely presenting an uphill battle for a Pelicans’ squad that’s surrendering 115.7 DPPG across their latest 3-3 SU stretch.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Resources

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Analysis

  • SU: 37-46
  • ATS: 42-40-1
  • O/U: 32-49-2

After last year’s disappointing 31-41 SU showing, New Orleans initially retained those low expectations with another underwhelming start to this season, as the Pelicans kicked things off with a frustrating 14-26 SU skid – with more than half of those losses coming by double-digits (16).

However, New Orleans turned things around with solid defense down the stretch, considering the Pelicans enter Frida’s Play-In game riding a sturdy 23-19 SU and 24-17-1 ATS stretch – while surrendering just 109.7 DPPG to their opponents across that window.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 42-41
  • ATS: 41-42
  • O/U: 38-41-3

Most bettors steered away from the Clippers after Kawhi’s devastating injury last postseason; but to the majority’s surprise, they still played well without him, as L. A. efficiently handled business against Utah for the remainder of the second round, and subsequently went toe-to-toe with Phoenix for the length of a six-game Western Conference Finals’ set despite the absence of their primary scoring option.

The Clippers’ offense struggled miserably during PG’s three-month absence though, considering L. A. enters Friday’s Play-In game riding a lackluster 25-26 SU skid – while scoring 110 PTS or less in 24 of those contests (109.7 OPPG).

The Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Clippers. (Getty Images)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Head-to-Head

New Orleans won two of three regular-season matchups against the Clippers last year, with the first two contests soaring over the total at an average of 233.5 PPG, while their third meeting stayed under with a score of 120-103 (U 229). The Pelicans also went 3-1 SU against L. A. this season, with three of those matchups staying well under the total at an average of 198.7 PPG – while one cruised over with a score of 123-104 (O 211).

Key Players to Watch

  • NOP: Brandon Ingram - SF (22.7 PPG, 5.8 REB, 5.6 AST)
  • NOP: CJ McCollum - SG (22.1 PPG, 4.3 REB, 5.1 AST)
  • LAC: Paul George - SF (24.3 PPG, 6.9 REB, 5.7 AST)
  • LAC: Marcus Morris - PF (15.4 PPG, 4.4 REB, 2.1 AST)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Conclusion

After coming up short against Minnesota in their first Play-In matchup (L, 109-104), the Clippers return home for Friday’s win-or-go-home game as short favorites over the Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena – marking the fifth time New Orleans has been an underdog in their last eight contests.

I’ll back L. A. here, as the Pelicans are 3-3 SU and ATS in their last six games, while tallying 114 OPPG and surrendering 115.7 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for an unfavorable road matchup against a Clippers squad that’s averaging 124.4 OPPG across their 6-2 SU run since the return of George.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

  • The Clippers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games.
  • The total has gone UNDER in four of the last five Clippers' games.
  • The total has gone UNDER in seven of the last ten Pelicans' games.
  • The Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Clippers.
  • The total has gone UNDER in four of the last five matchups between the Pelicans and Clippers.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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