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Thursday night in the Association will feature two teams from the West! It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Clippers-Pelicans prediction and pick.
The Los Angeles Clippers are on a roller coaster this season. They are currently 21-21 which puts them in the seven spot in the Western Conference. They have won their last two in a row after losing three-straight prior. Paul George remains out for LA and it's unclear when he will return to the team. As for the New Orleans Pelicans, they are really struggling this season. They are 15-26 which puts them 13th in the West. They have been without Zion Williamson all year long and if he stays out, it's going to be one very long season for the Pelicans.
Here are the Clippers-Pelicans NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Pelicans Odds
Los Angeles Clippers: +3.5 (-105)
New Orleans Pelicans: -3.5 (-115)
Over: 215 (-110)
Under: 215 (-110)
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Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
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The Clippers are 13-17 against the West this year but they will take it considering their two best players have missed a majority of their games. That shows how well this team is coached, and the veteran players on the roster mean something. Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr. are leading the team right now. In really any year prior, this production may not have worked, but now it is and the Clippers are seeing success right now. They've won two-straight games and are looking to make it three when they hoit the road for New Orleans.
If LA wants to cover this spread, they need Jackson and Morris Sr. to continue to play well. Terrence Mann is turning into a young stud with his athleticism and ability to defend well. The Pelicans dominated the Clippers the last time these two teams faced, so the Clippers desperately need their defense to improve if they want a chance to cover this spread. The Clippers are 4-6 in their last 10 games, giving up just 107 points per game during that stretch. The offense needs to step up as well but if LA wants to win this game, it will be because of their defensive effort.
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
New Orleans is very capable of covering this spread. They killed them by 20 the last time they faced, so they can do it again. They will be at home where they are 9-11 on the season. Without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram has been the go-to guy for the Pelicans and he will look to lead the team once again. Jonas Valanciunas is one of the better offensive centers in the NBA and so with him and Ingram playing well, this team can beat LA.
They will need to step their defense up as well if they want to cover this spread. They allow 112 points per game over their last 10 which will not get the job done. The good news is that LA is only averaging 102 per game, so that gives them a little bit of cushion. It's going to take a group effort to get the job done but they are more than capable of doing so with some crucial players out for LA.
Final Clippers-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
These two teams are dead even against the spread, with the Pelicans having one more loss against the spread. New Orleans is at home and beat LA by 20 last time they played. I feel like it will be a similar result so I'm taking the Pelicans in this one. This one is tough to choose without all the star power, but New Orleans seems to be the logical choice here. They're coming off a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves last time out.
Final Clippers-Pelicans Prediction & Pick: Pelicans -3.5 (-115)
