New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/6/2018

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 3 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 36-26. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.7 as they are averaging 112.3 points per contest while giving up 111.6 per game. The Clippers have an overall record of 34-28. They currently are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 109.1 points per game and surrendering 108.0, good for a point differential of 1.1.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 34-28-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 38-24-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 35-27-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 33-28-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
03/04/18 F Emeka Okafor Ankle is questionable Tuesday vs LA Clippers
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season
03/03/18 F Danilo Gallinari Hand is out indefinitely
02/23/18 G Avery Bradley Groin is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 19.4 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Anthony Davis averages 28 points per game in 36.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 11.1 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Lou Williams averages 23.1 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per contest this year for the Clippers. He grabs 2.5 rebounds per game and has 5.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%. Tobias Harris averages 18.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 112.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.69 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 111.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 24.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the league with 109.1 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.13. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 22.4. The Clippers are 11th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Clippers surrender 108 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 43.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Clippers are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league. New Orleans is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Clippers are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 15th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 8th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Clippers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles -3

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