The New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers are set to face off for the second time this season. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Pelicans-Clippers prediction and pick based on Pelicans Clippers odds.
The New Orleans Pelicans are off to a very rough start this season. The Pelicans sit 5-17 and have the fourth-worst record in all of the NBA. Weirdly enough, however, the Pelicans did beat the Clippers the last time they met a few weeks ago. It was a very low-scoring game where the Pelicans won 94-81. That was the worst game the Clippers played all season and one we are likely not going to see again. The two biggest stars won't be playing Monday night, though. For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson continues to sit out with a foot injury and hasn't played all year. Kawhi Leonard will also miss this game as he hasn't returned from his knee injury either. With those two out, the hype around this game goes right out the window.
The Clippers are also without Nicolas Batum for Monday night. Both teams are short-staffed and will need to rely on their depth to win games. Paul George is the top guy in this game and he will need to play well for the Clippers to win. He is averaging 25.9 points per game this year which ranks sixth in the NBA right now. LA is 5-5 in their last 10 games and will need to really get going if they want to compete in this stacked Western Conference.
Here is how the bookmakers set the Pelicans-Clippers line for Monday night.
NBA Odds: Pelicans-Clippers Odds
New Orleans Pelicans: +6.5 (-106)
Los Angeles Clippers: -6.5 (-114)
Over: 210.5 (-110)
Under: 210.5 (-110)
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Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
This is going to be a tough game for the Pelicans to cover. They did win their last game against the Clippers but that was a very lopsided game to begin with. I can't see the Clippers finishing with 81 points again. With that being said, I actually expect the Clippers to blow out the Pelicans on Monday. The Pelicans are going to have to bring their A-game against a team that went to the Western Conference Finals last year without Leonard playing.
Brandon Ingram is playing well, averaging 21 points and 6.4 rebounds. He's missed about seven games this year, however, and they have needed to rely on Devonte' Graham to fill in. The guard is averaging 14 points this year and has solidified himself as the starting point guard for right now. If they are going to cover against LA, Graham will need to shoot lights out and take the load off, Ingram. Defensively, the Pelicans are going to need to shut down George as they did in their last meeting, although that is not going to be an easy task again.
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
The Clippers really should have no problem covering this spread. This is a very good defensive team even without one of the best defenders in the NBA. Reggie Jackson is playing well averaging 17.5 points per game and Ivica Zubac is north of 10 a game as well. It's unlucky that the Clippers play in the toughest division in the entire league.
There are four teams all in the top-6 of the conference and the top two don't like to lose. The Clippers are going to need to play very well to give themselves a shot sat a top seed for the playoffs. We are very early in the season but if the Clippers don't start to get it going now then they will finish the season as one of the lower seeds. As for Monday night, they need to rely on George to bring the spark and their defense to win them the game. Once they get Leonard back, the Clippers should be a very good team looking to get back to the Conference Finals.
Final Pelicans-Clippers Prediction & Pick
I can't see this game turning out like their last one. I expect the Clippers to show up and blow out the Pelicans Monday night. George is playing very well as of late and it's going to be tough for the Pelicans to shut him down. The Ingram-George matchup should be an entertaining one to see as those two are potential all-stars this year. The last game between these two was very low-scoring. I don't expect it to be the same but I also don't expect the over to hit either. Based on the last results I would consider taking the under in this game.
Final Pelicans-Clippers Prediction & Pick: Clippers -6.5 (-114) & Under: 210.5 (-110)
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