The Los Angeles Clippers welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to the Staples Center. Action begins at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 22 and can be seen on FSN-NO and FSN-PT.
The Clippers played well in their last game, topping the Wizards 113-99 on Friday. Chris Paul was a key piece, recording his 34th double-double of the season with 30 points and 15 assists. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the 112-96 loss against the Warriors on Friday. Jeff Withey had a good game for New Orleans, registering 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Over the last five games, J.J. Redick has taken his game to another level for the Clippers, averaging 21.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 three-pointers.
The Clippers could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked second in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of only 12.2%). Additionally, New Orleans forces the fifth-fewest turnovers in the league (12.5%).
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Pelicans had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 108-103 win. Despite the loss, Paul had a standout performance with 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three three-pointers.
The odds for Los Angeles and New Orleans are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Clippers have gone 45-25 Straight Up (SU) and 31-39 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 29-14 SU and 20-23 ATS against the Western Conference. The Clippers are one of the best in the NBA in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .471 from the field. Los Angeles is the most disciplined team in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1.
Over on the other bench, the Pelicans have a record of 39-30 ATS and 37-32 SU. Against the Western Conference, New Orleans is 21-18 SU and 23-16 ATS.
The Pelicans’ win over Los Angeles in their last clash wasn’t enough for them to overtake the Clippers in the recent head-to-head series. Their record is now 3-7 SU over the last 10 meetings. The Clippers also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Los Angeles held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last 10 matchups. On the other side of the court, New Orleans never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – NO, ATS Winner – NO
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games.
LA Clippers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
LA Clippers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games at home.
LA Clippers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 6 games at home.
LA Clippers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing New Orleans.
LA Clippers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans.
New Orleans ranks 16th in points per game with 99.3, while Los Angeles ranks 18th in points allowed with an average of 100.5 given up.
New Orleans ranks 21st in points per away game with 96.7 points, while Los Angeles ranks 11th in points allowed at home with 97.8.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the New Orleans Pelicans are a winning 25-12. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Clippers have an underachieving record of 7-14.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a poor 12-20 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Los Angeles Clippers are 38-11 when they hit the century mark.
The Clippers have a defensive rating of 103.2 (ranked 16th), while the Pelicans rank eighth for their offensive rating of 104.8.
Los Angeles has an average field goal percentage of 47.1% (ranked second). New Orleans is a subpar 8-19 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
Los Angeles averages 26.7 three point attempts per game, and New Orleans attempts 19.3 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Clippers have a solid 29-16 record while the Pelicans have a 4-5 record.
Los Angeles has the best assist to turnover ratio in the NBA this season with 2.07. New Orleans ranks slightly lower, at ninth, with an A/TO of 1.71.
The Clippers rank 21st in rebounds per game with 42.2, while the Pelicans rank 13th with 43.9 per game.
The New Orleans Pelicans rank ninth in offensive rebounding, while the Los Angeles Clippers rank 10th in defensive rebounding.
Los Angeles averages a forced turnover rate of 13.9% this season. New Orleans has a 13-14 record when they suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
