Clippers vs Pelicans 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers (29-13, 2nd in the Pacific Division) are headed to Smoothie King Center on Saturday where they'll take on the New Orleans Pelicans (16-26, 5th in the Southwest Division). New Orleans opens this matchup as 5.5 point dogs. The over/under opens at 218.

The Clippers cover the spread 54.8% of the time, having gone 23-19-0 ATS. New Orleans is covering 50.0% of the time, going 20-20-2 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

01/16/20 SF Paul George Hamstring is questionable Saturday vs New Orleans
01/16/20 SF Maurice Harkless Back left last game, is questionable Saturday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/18/19 PF Zion Williamson Knee is out indefinitely
01/16/20 PG Jrue Holiday Elbow is questionable Saturday vs LA Clippers
01/16/20 C Jahlil Okafor Back is questionable Saturday vs LA Clippers
01/16/20 SG JJ Redick Hamstring is questionable Saturday vs LA Clippers

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard comes into this contest averaging 26.5 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 89%. Lou Williams averages 19.7 points per game in 29.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.2 assists per contest and 3.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram averages 25.8 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.8 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Lonzo Ball averages 12.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 6.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 51%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 115.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.7 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 48.3 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.6 per game. The Clippers allow 109.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 10th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 23.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 7th in the league with 113.8 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.5. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 45.9 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 25.4. The Pelicans are 7th in turnovers per game with 15.5. The Pelicans surrender 117.3 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.6 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Clippers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 106.2, and their offensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 7th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 8th in the league. The Pelicans are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.3, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles -5.5

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