The New Orleans Pelicans (16-26) challenge the Los Angeles Clippers (29-13) at the Smoothie King Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction
The last time the Clippers played, they easily covered the 9.5-point spread against the Orlando Magic, 122-95. The game’s combined points (217) were just under the projected point total of 217.5. The Clippers held the Magic to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.9 (below their season average of 22.1). The Magic had a free throw rate of 0.098 (below their season average of 0.200). With 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting, Kawhi Leonard was the top scorer from either team.
The Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz in their last game, 138-132, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (270) came in well over the projected point total of 224.5. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Utah. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.526), while the Jazz posted a mark of 0.535. Brandon Ingram was the game’s high scorer with 49 points on 15-for-25 shooting from the field.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Clippers won the most recent matchup 134-109, covering as 13-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 243 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 233 points. The Clippers made 26 of their 33 free throws (78.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (5.1 vs. 7.8). Montrezl Harrell put up a double-double in the victory with 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 29-13 straight up (SU) and 22-19-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Clippers have gone under the total 54.8 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 16-26 SU and 19-20-3 ATS. Vegas tends to place the total low when the Pelicans are involved, as 57.1 percent of their games have gone over the projected point total.
New Orleans might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they clash against one of the league’s best defenses. Los Angeles ranks sixth in defensive efficiency, while the Pelicans rank 20th in offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Clippers are among the league’s elite at getting to the line, ranking fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.226). The Pelicans, meanhwile, rank 26th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.221.
Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Los Angeles is 9-10 ATS with 11 unders and 8 overs.
At home, New Orleans is 10-10 ATS with 11 overs and 9 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Los Angeles is 12-0 and New Orleans is 3-0.
When reaching the century mark, the Clippers are 27-9 and the Pelicans are 16-23.
Los Angeles averages 18.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fifth in the league. New Orleans ranks 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
The Clippers rank sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (44.6) while the Pelicans rank 27th (52.2).
Los Angeles averages 15.2 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. New Orleans ranks 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
The Pelicans average 16.3 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Clippers rank 25th in fast break points allowed per game (14.9).
New Orleans averages 38.3 three pointers per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 19th in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
The Clippers average 48.3 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. The Pelicans rank 17th in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
Los Angeles ranks 18th in steals per game (7.5) while New Orleans ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
The Pelicans average 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Clippers rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
Los Angeles averages 23.6 assists per game, which ranks 18th in the league. New Orleans ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
In its last five outings, Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.8, up from 6.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 121.2 points per game (7.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 120.2 points per game (2.9 above their season average).
