When the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday night, it may not be the last time the two teams match up this year even though it will be their final regular-season tilly.
If both teams can hold their respective spots in the West, they may meet again in the play-in tournament for a spot in the playoffs. Can the betting underdog New Orleans prove it is a threat to the Clippers' playoff hopes or will L.A. with its recently-returned superstar Paul George show the league that it's a potentially dangerous first-round foe from the top teams in the Western Conference?
Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Pelicans vs Clippers matchup on Sunday, April 3rd.
Pelicans vs Clippers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Clippers opened as 2.5-point favorites and have seen movement both ways, currently sitting at -2. The total opened at 223 and has since moved to 222.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Pelicans vs Clippers predictions
Predictions made on 4/3/2022 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Pelicans vs Clippers game info
• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Sunday, April 3, 2022
• Tip-off: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports So-Cal, Bally Sports New Orleans
Pelicans vs Clippers betting preview
Key injuries
Pelicans: No injuries to report.
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
New Orleans is the second most Under-friendly team in the league, with a 46-31 (59.7%) record that way on the season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Clippers.
Pelicans vs Clippers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
In early March, the Pelicans were 13 games below .500 with a 27-40 record, and thoughts of a playoff appearance were likely nowhere near being entertained. They have since won seven of their last 10 and sit ninth in the West on the verge of clinching a spot in the play-in tournament.
As of now, it looks like they will face the Spurs with the winner then going on to face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game, currently pacing to feature the Timberwolves and the Clippers.
Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Clips have been more than clear in their intent to make a serious run in the playoffs. Their trades for the likes of Norman Powell and Robert Covington at the deadline came as a surprise to many and now with Paul George back in the mix, they have more than enough potential to stir up some trouble in a potential first-round matchup against either the Suns or Grizzlies.
| With Paul George | Without Paul George | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 18-16 (.529) | 20-24 (.455) |
| Net RTG | 0.7 (13th) | -3.5 (22nd) |
| Def RTG | 105.3 (4th) | 112.8 (17th) |
| Pace | 99.24 (11th) | 97.94 (21st) |
And although it goes without saying, Paul George has quite the impact. His presence is the difference between the Clippers playing to the 13th best net rating with him and the 22nd mark without.
And his reputation as an outstanding defender is most certainly earned, with the Clippers ranking fourth in the league in defensive rating in games with PG13 and dropping to below league average without him (17th).
Los Angeles will need a better defensive performance against this hot Pelicans team that has averaged 120.6 points in their last seven wins. Their scoring surges have come on the back of excellent performances from C.J. McCollum, who has led the team in scoring in 13 of the Pelicans' 22 games since acquiring him at the trade deadline.
New Orleans' bread and butter is winning out in transition, ranking fifth in the league in percentage of points scored on fast breaks while allowing the fourth-fewest fast-break points on defense. In that respect, the Clippers rank 18th in fast-break offense and 20th on defense so there is certainly an edge there that the Pelicans can push
Prediction: Pelicans +2 (-110 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
The Clippers' performances with respect to totals vary massively with and without Paul George. Up until his injury in mid-December, they started the season with a 19-13 (59.4^%) in favor of Unders. Their record towards Unders has drastically changed since, playing just 19-25-2 (43.5%) that way.
New Orleans is the second most Under-friendly team in the league, with a 46-31 (59.7%) record that way on the season. it has also been hitting Unders rather often of late, now having hit seven of them in its last eight games.
These two teams have gone Under in two of their previous three matchups, and the two times they went that way the totals were 214.5 and 213.5 - noticeably much lower than Sunday's total of 222.5.
Prediction: Under 222.5 (-105 at Betway)
Best bet
Between their hot play as of late and the way they should be able to press a transition edge, the Pelicans simply represent a tough matchup for the Clippers. Make no mistake, Los Angeles is well-equipped to possibly cause some damage later this month in the playoffs if it can navigate its way through the play-in tournament, but Sunday's matchup may be a slight road bump it hits before then.
With the Clips realistically locked into the eighth spot given they are 3.5 games ahead of NOLA, New Orleans is looking to secure its spot as the nine or 10th seed with the Lakers sitting just a game behind them. That urgency and motivation alone will give the Pelicans the extra push they need to cover this spread.
Pick: Pelicans +2 (-110 at bet365)
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