New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 4/9/2018

Monday, April 9, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, April 9, 2018. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 4.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 46-34. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.9 as they are averaging 111.6 points per contest while giving up 110.7 per game. The Clippers have an overall record of 42-38. They currently are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 109.2 points per game and surrendering 108.8, good for a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 44-35-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 46-34-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 42-38-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 43-36-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out for season
04/08/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle left last game, is probable Monday vs LA Clippers
04/06/18 G Ian Clark Ankle is out indefinitely
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
04/04/18 F Danilo Gallinari Hand is out indefinitely
03/30/18 G Milos Teodosic Foot is out indefinitely
02/23/18 G Avery Bradley Groin is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this game averaging 19.1 points per contest while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 79%. Anthony Davis averages 28.2 points per contest in 36.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 11.1 rebounds per contest for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 54% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

DeAndre Jordan has scored 12.2 points per contest while playing 31.7 minutes per game this season for the Clippers. He hauls in 15.3 rebounds per contest and has 1.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 64% and his free throw percentage is at 59%. Tobias Harris averages 18.6 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 33.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.4 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 111.6 points per contest this year, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.88 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 44.2 boards per contest and 26.6 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 15 per game. The Pelicans allow 110.7 points per contest which is 29th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they allow 23.7 assists per game which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the NBA with 109.2 points per contest this season. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.39. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 21st in the league. They are 16th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.7 boards per contest and 22nd in assists per game with 22.2. The Clippers are 11th in turnovers per contest with 14.6. The Clippers give up 108.8 points per game, which ranks them 24th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 24.5 dimes allowed per game and 17th with 43.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Clippers are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 108.6 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. New Orleans is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The Clippers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.6, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4.5

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