Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, 1/5/2024 Preview and Pick
Game: Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans
Date: Friday, January 5, 2024
Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
TV: Bally Sports New Orleans
Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles (+1)
The Los Angeles Clippers (21-12) are on their way to Smoothie King Center on Friday where they will attempt to beat the New Orleans Pelicans (21-14). New Orleans opens as 1-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total is set at 228.5.
The Clippers faced off with the Suns and notched a win by a score of 131-122 in their last contest. When discussing fouls, the Clippers ended up finishing with 18 and the Suns finished the game with 23 fouls. They made 15 of 35 attempts from distance. Phoenix walked away from this one shooting 88.5% from the charity stripe by knocking down 23 of their 26 attempts. Moreover, Phoenix grabbed 32 rebounds (10 offensive, 22 defensive) and had 5 blocks. Phoenix distributed 23 dimes and had 9 steals for the contest. In terms of defending, Los Angeles allowed 53.2% from the field on 42 out of 79 shooting. They also distributed 25 assists for the contest in addition to creating 16 turnovers and getting 9 steals. In reference to grabbing rebounds, they earned a total of 36 with 10 of them being of the offensive variety. At the charity stripe, the Clippers made 29 of their 32 shots for a rate of 90.6%. Los Angeles ended having earned a 55.3% FG percentage (42 of 76) and converted 18 out of their 34 shots from distance.
Paul George is a guy who was a major contributor in this matchup. He ended up walking away with 33 points on 8 of 14 shooting. He was on the court for 37 mins played and grabbed 7 rebounds. George ended up going 57.1% from the floor and totaled 3 assists.
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Los Angeles heads into this matchup with a mark of 21-12 on the campaign. They turn the ball over 13.5 times per game and as a basketball team are committing 20.0 personal fouls every game. As a unit, Los Angeles is snagging 43.5 boards per contest and has 838 assists this year, which ranks 25th in the league in terms of passing the ball. The Clippers are hitting 38.5% on three-point attempts (419 of 1,088) and 81.0% from the charity stripe. They average 117.2 points per contest (9th in the league) while shooting 49.0% from the field.
When they are on defense, the Clippers are forcing 13.7 turnovers per game while drawing 20.4 fouls. They rank 10th in the league in giving up assists to their opponents with 859 relinquished for the season. The Clippers are allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 46.0% (1,345 of 2,926) and they surrender 42.0 boards per game as a squad. They are giving up 35.3% from beyond the arc while they are 11th in basketball in points per game allowed (112.2).
In their last game, the Pelicans walked away with a victory by a final of 117-106 against the Timberwolves. In reference to team rebounding, New Orleans permitted Minnesota to collect 28 in total (8 offensive). They shot 32.3% from beyond the arc by hitting 10 out of 31 and ended up shooting 22 out of 27 at the free throw line (81.5%). The Pelicans permitted the Timberwolves to convert 37 of their 82 attempts from the field which left them with a shooting percentage of 45.1% for the game. In all, the Pelicans finished 45 for 81 from the floor which gave them a rate of 55.6%. In terms of three-point attempts, New Orleans made 12 out of their 26 tries (46.2%). They were able to make 15 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 88.2%. The Timberwolves committed 13 personal fouls in the game which took the Pelicans to the charity stripe for a total of 17 attempts. They gave up possession of the ball 12 times, while recording 7 steals in this matchup. The Pelicans earned 32 defensive boards and 9 offensive boards for a total of 41 in the matchup.
Zion Williamson was important for the Pelicans for this game. Williamson earned 27 points in his 29 mins on the hardwood and accounted for 6 assists for the contest. He converted 11 of 15 in the game giving him a rate of 73.3%, and earned 4 rebounds.
New Orleans has a mark of 21-14 this year. The Pelicans commit 20.0 personal fouls every game while shooting 76.7% from the charity stripe. They are assisting teammates 26.4 times per contest (13th in basketball) and they turn it over 13.7 times per game. New Orleans has 4,056 pts so far this season (115.9 per contest) and they average 44.4 rebounds per game. As an offensive unit, the Pelicans are shooting 48.5% from the floor, which is ranked 6th in the league.
The New Orleans defense allows 33.6% on 3-point shots (458 of 1,365) and opponents are making 77.8% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have surrendered 26.9 assists and 43.1 total boards per game, which has them ranked 19th and 14th in the league. The Pelicans on defense are ranked 8th in the NBA in PPG given up with 112.0. They are able to force 14.5 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 46.0% from the field (6th in the NBA).
Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?
Tony Sink's Pick: Take New Orleans (-1)
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Additional Resources:
New Orleans Pelicans - Twitter
Los Angeles Clippers - Twitter