The Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans play in a Western Conference matchup on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Pelicans prediction and pick.
The Clippers and Pelicans play Friday as each team will be coming off a loss looking to get back into the win column. The Clippers lost last night on the road to the Memphis Grizzlies, and will be on a back-to-back in New Orleans on Friday. The Pelicans last played Wednesday on the road when they lost to the Miami Heat. New Orleans is 2-14 so far this season, and has been among the worst teams in the NBA in the absence of Zion Williamson. Williamson has yet to play this season due to injury.
The Clippers come in as road favorites over the struggling Pelicans despite being on the road back-to-back. Here are the Clippers-Pelicans odds for this Friday NBA matchup, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Pelicans Odds
Los Angeles Clippers -3.5 (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans +3.5 (-110)
Over 214 points (-110)
Under 214 points (-110)
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Why The Clippers Can Cover The Spread
Article Continues BelowThe rest disadvantage may come into play here, but the Clippers are able to fight the fatigue they should handle this Pelicans team. New Orleans has lost nine of their last ten games and has a -11.1 point differential this season, with a 2-5 record on their home floor. The Clippers are 8-2 in their last 10 games and looking to hold their ground in the competitive Western Conference.
While they are still without Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka, Paul George has done his best to carry the team to a solid record of 9-6 through 15 games. If the Clippers have their legs on Friday, they should be able to win and cover vs. the scuffling Pelicans. The Clippers are 8-7 against the spread this season.
Why The Pelicans Can Cover The Spread
The Pelicans have had a rough start to the season to put it mildly. The absence of Zion Williamson has left a huge scoring void for New Orleans who is scoring just 101.8 points per game this season. The Pelicans -11.1 scoring differential is the worst in the NBA, and the Pelicans are already 1-12 vs. the Western Conference. Their season is likely to be all but over before Williamson even makes his way back on to the court, which is sad.
The Pelicans have the rest advantage, so if the Clippers have dead legs on Friday they may be able to cover and win. However, betting the Pelicans at this number doesn't seem like a bright idea given how badly they have struggled, particularly vs. good teams from the Western Conference. New Orleans is 6-10 vs. the spread so far this season.
Final Clippers-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
Take the Clippers to cover and win over the Pelicans on Friday despite the back-to-back. New Orleans has been dreadful, and the Clippers should be able to gut this one out with their vast talent edge over the Pelicans.
FINAL CLIPPERS-PELICANS PREDICTION & PICK: Clippers -3.5 (-110)