The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a crushing two-point loss that pretty much puts their postseason hopes to bed and now must scramble for motivation against one of the hottest teams in NBA betting, the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Pelicans’ loss to San Antonio puts them behind the eight ball in terms of making the play-in tournament cut and if that wasn’t bad enough, the Clippers come to the Big Easy on a four-game winning streak and boasting just one loss in their last dozen games (8-3-1 ATS).
Check out our free NBA picks and predictions for Clippers vs. Pelicans on April 26.
Clippers vs Pelicans odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonLos Angeles opened -3.5 Sunday afternoon at PointsBet USA and by this afternoon dropped to -1.5, where the line remains at 5 p.m. ET. The Clippers are taking 70 percent of point-spread tickets, but just 52 percent of point-spread money. The total is up a point to 228.5, with the Over seeing 62 percent of tickets/79 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameClippers at Pelicans betting preview
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard F (Out), Serge Ibaka F (Out), Patrick Beverley G (Out), Luke Kennard G (Out), Rajon Rondo G (Questionable).
Pelicans: Steven Adams C (Questionable), James Johnson F (Questionable), Nickeil Alexander-Walker G (Out), Josh Hart G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 23-8 in Pelicans’ last 31 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Pelicans.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Clippers have been far from dominant in recent outings, squeaking by Portland in a one-point win, rallying from an early hole to beat Memphis, and overcoming an 11-point third quarter to just get past lowly Houston. When you add in all the injuries, it’s no secret why L.A. is laying this short spread Monday night.
Granted, those ho-hum results came in a tight window, with Los Angeles playing three games in four days. The Clippers have had their feet up since Friday and face a young Pelicans team that could be cashing out on the season.
The loss to the Spurs puts New Orleans 4.5 games behind Golden State for the 10th and final ticket to the play-in tournament and NOLA can only blame itself. The Pels had 19 turnovers versus San Antonio and are averaging nearly 16 turnovers per game this month, which opponents are translating into more than 20 points against off those mistakes.
The Pelicans have also been very handsy this month, sending opponents to the foul line an average of 24.1 times per game in April (27th in the NBA). Last time out, New Orleans got whistled 24 times and sent the Spurs to the charity stripe for 32 free throws, with San Antonio cashing in 27 of those freebies.
Add it all up, and that’s a ton of easy points oozing from this New Orleans team. The Clippers, even minus the likes of Kawhi Leonard, are too savvy a squad not to take advantage of those—especially Paul George. He’s been on the attack in recent games, averaging almost 30 points per effort in April and getting to the foul line nearly six times an outing, shooting 91 percent from the stripe.
Los Angeles is still in the hunt for the No. 1 spot in the West — just three games back of Utah — and is 11-5-1 ATS in its last 17 games as a favorite.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The Clippers have been on cruise control during this current four-game winning streak, facing defenses ranked 26th, 17th, 25th and now 27th. New Orleans is allowing over 115 points per game on the season and tries to combat those defensive shortcomings with explosive scoring of its own.
Los Angeles hasn’t been tested much on the defensive end versus those last four foes, but did allow 112 points to the Trail Blazers’ ninth-ranked attack on April 20 and faces a NOLA team that has picked up the pace this month, boasting a pace rating of 102.6 in April versus 98.98 in the first four months of the schedule. New Orleans is 9-5 Over/Under this month.
The Pelicans could find themselves running small on Monday night, with center and defensive anchor Steven Adams listed as questionable and reserve forward James Johnson also on the fence, potentially taking out two of New Orleans’ top rim protectors.
PREDICTION: Over 227.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
George is getting all the love in La-La Land for his recent efforts, however, Marcus Morris Sr. should also get a pat on the back from basketball bettors.
Morris has stepped up with injuries to the Clippers’ frontcourt, averaging 21.7 points over his last six games, including a 25-point effort versus Memphis last Wednesday. Morris was a late scratch versus Houston on Friday due to rest and should be fresh for tonight thanks to that extended break.
He’s played more than 30 minutes in five of his last six games and will continue to get extra run with Leonard and Serge Ibaka out of action. Morris could also find plenty of extra space around the key with NOLA possibly thin in the frontcourt.
PREDICTION: Marcus Morris Sr. Over 17.5 points (-114)
Clippers vs Pelicans betting card
- Los Angeles -3.5 (-110)
- Over 227.5 (-110)
- Marcus Morris Sr. Over 17.5 points (-114)
Picks made on 4/26/2021 at 10:41 a.m. ET
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