Two Western Conference contenders will be looking to get back into the win column on Sunday afternoon when the New Orleans Pelicans head to L.A. to face the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Pelicans have surprised early in the season with impressive wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks (with many starters missing). The Pelicans started 2-0, but have lost three consecutive games, including back-to-back games to the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder.
Will the Clippers bounce back from a rough week? Read our free NBA picks and predictions below to find out.
Pelicans vs Clippers best odds
Pelicans vs Clippers picks and predictions
The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA early in this season. They rank 29th in points per game, 29th in offensive rating, and 29th in field goal attempts per game. Turnovers have big a huge reason why.
The Clippers rank dead last in the league with 18.0 turnovers per game. They also rank dead last in forcing turnovers at only 10.6 per contest. This is not a great statistic against a Pelicans team with several players that specialize in forcing mistakes.
The Pelicans rank sixth in the NBA in steals with 8.6 per game. They also force 14.2 turnovers per contest. Last season, Herb Jones averaged 1.6 steals per game, and even though he has yet to record a steal this season, he is likely to force a few turnovers if he is good to go today.
Jose Alvarado is also a menace and he should see some extra time in the absence of Dyson Daniels. If Zion Williamson plays today, add another defensive fiend, but even if he doesn’t, the combination of CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Brandon Ingram, and Alvarado are averaging 4.9 steals per game.
The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard and most likely without Robert Covington. This will put added pressure on Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and Norman Powell to control the ball and get the offense going. George averages 3.5 turnovers, Jackson 1.6 turnovers, and Powell 3.2 turnovers per game.
Based on those averages, you can find the best turnover total on Powell. He averages 3.2 per game and yet his total on DraftKings is only 1.5.
Whether it's Zion or Ingram or McCollum guarding Powell, they are likely to force him into mistakes. I love this Over and wouldn’t be surprised if it hit very early in the game.
My best bet: Norman Powell Over 1.5 turnovers (-130)
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Pelicans vs Clippers spread analysis
Not only are the Clippers on a three-game losing streak, but they've also failed to cover in four straight. They've been favored in each of their games with their only cover coming on opening night against the Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans have thrived as underdogs, winning two of their three games straight up. Their only loss came to the red-hot Phoenix Suns on Friday. Even if Jones and Zion end up sitting out, that shouldn’t mean the Pels have no chance as they defeated the Mavericks on Tuesday without Zion, Jones, and Ingram.
The Pelicans have covered eight of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2020. They are 38-17 ATS in the last 55 meetings overall. Also, they are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games against winning teams and 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games playing on two days of rest.
The Pelicans will continue to force turnovers against this Clippers team that struggles mightily to hold onto the ball.
The Clippers are a little overrated early in this season and you should continue to take advantage of these spreads for them. Give me the Pelicans to cover and win straight up.
Pelicans vs Clippers Over/Under analysis
This total is going to be a tale of two different sides of the coin. The Pelicans have hit the Over in all five of their games this year, while the Clippers games have gone Under the total in four of five.
Only one game that the Pelicans were involved in this season has gone Under this current total. The Clippers though, have had only one game go Over this total.
The Over is 6-0 in the Pelicans' last six games following a loss against the spread. The Under is 6-1 in the Clippers' last seven games following a game in which they allowed 100 or more points. The Under is also 4-1 in the last five meetings between these teams.
Even though the Clippers struggle offensively, they do not necessarily lack pace. Also, their turnovers are likely to give the Pelicans easier scoring chances, which in turn will lead to a faster pace by the Clippers to stay in the game. This game script should lead to a rare Over for the Clippers at this low total.
Pelicans vs Clippers betting trend to know
The Pelicans are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games against a team with a losing home record. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Clippers.
Pelicans vs Clippers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, October 30, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports, ClipperVision |
