New Orleans @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 6, 2018 ) New Orleans 121, L.A. Clippers 116

The Los Angeles Clippers made a spirited run at a playoff spot in the Western Conference but were finally eliminated from the race on Saturday. The New Orleans Pelicans, who visit the Clippers on Monday, do not yet have their spot in the playoffs secured but are playing well with wins in three straight.

The Pelicans entered play on Sunday fifth in the West but just one game ahead of ninth-place Denver with two games remaining. New Orleans began its winning streak by picking off the lowly Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns but worked hard on Saturday and ended a 14-game losing streak to the defending champion Warriors with a 126-120 victory at Golden State. "It's a big win for us," All-Star forward Anthony Davis told reporters. "It's a tough place to play. They go on runs all the time. You just have to be able to withstand that run and make a run of your own. Kind of even it out. When we got out to that lead, instead of us making a run to catch back up we kind of made a run to separate. They're the defending champions. The position that we’re in, we just wanted to come out and do anything to win." The Clippers did not put up much of a fight on the defensive end in a 134-115 loss to the Nuggets on Saturday and dropped four of their last five.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (46-34): New Orleans point guard Rajon Rondo handed out 17 assists in Saturday's win and is taking on a leadership role with the team. "We are hungry, and the guy who is really leading is (Rajon) Rondo," Davis told reporters. "He’s telling us how good we are and how good we can be. Where we are and everything. He’s coming in with a new stat about if we don’t win tonight and somebody else win. Or if we win, and all this stuff. He’s been through all this before and won a championship. He's kind of been the leader of the team as far as this playoff race has gone." Davis is leading on the court as well and posted his fourth straight double-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks on Saturday.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (42-38): Los Angeles may have been eliminated from contention with Saturday's loss, but that doesn't mean it plans on laying down for the last two games. "I think I have to play the (starters) against New Orleans, honestly," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "I think we have to really go after that game. I think it’s the - I just believe in protecting the league. You know what I'm saying? I just think that's what we should do, and I hope we do that." Leading scorer Lou Williams seems like he could use a break after going a combined 9-of-27 from the floor over the last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers C DeAndre Jordan ranks second in the NBA in rebounding (15.3), three spots ahead of Davis (11.1).

2. Pelicans SG Ian Clark (ankle) sat out the last two games and is doubtful for Monday.

3. New Orleans earned a 121-116 win at Los Angeles on March 6 behind 41 points from Davis.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 125, Clippers 113