Clippers vs Pelicans Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Saturday, April 1st

Check out our free Clippers vs Pelicans pick and preview for this NBA game in New Orleans. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Clippers vs Pelicans NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans
Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
Date: Saturday, April 1st
Betting Odds NO -3, LAC +128 | NO -154 O/U 223.0

So far, the Clippers have put together an overall record of 41-37, while going 39-38-1 vs the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Los Angeles has an overall record of 2-1, including going 2-1 against the spread.

Not only did the Clippers drop their last game to the Grizzlies. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 108-94 as 5 point underdogs. Los Angeles was not able to turn things around in the 2nd half, as they trailed the Grizzlies by 14 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Norman Powell, as he contributed 16 points while hitting 54.5% of his shots.

So far, the Pelicans have put together an overall record of 39-38, while going 37-40-0 vs the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, New Orleans has an overall record of 2-1, including going 2-1 against the spread.

The Pelicans are coming off a 107-88 win over the Nuggets. This win came despite entering the game as the 2 point underdogs. In the game, New Orleans outscored their opponent in every quarter. In the win, Brandon Ingram led the team in scoring with 31 points on a field goal percentage of 59.1%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Pelicans picked up the win 112-91 win over the Clippers. Heading into the game, New Orleans was the 2.5 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. So far this season, the Pelicans have a record of 2-0 vs the Clippers. Last year, the Clippers saw a drop in overall scoring when playing the Pelicans, averaging 98.25 points per game. While the Clippers struggled on offense in the series, the Pelicans maintained their usual level of scoring at 107.5 vs Los Angeles. The Pelicans have had the better record vs the spread over the last 5 games, going 4-1. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 10 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 1-4. Combined, they averaged 214 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 78 games, Los Angeles is averaging 113.1 points per game (21st). When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Clippers are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 98.0 per contest. Not only is the team one of the more deliberate units in the NBA, they have yet to find their shooting stroke, ranking just 13th in the league in field goal percentage 47.6%.

So far, the Clippers have played well defensively, as they are ranked 11th in the league at 108.39 points per contest.

Los Angeles will be relying on Kawhi Leonard to provide a strong scoring performance in today’s game against the New Orleans. Paul George has been ruled out. So far this season, George has been the team’s leading scorer with an average of 23.8 points per game. Leonard is 2nd on the team with 23.4 points per game, which places him 29.0th in the NBA. In 48 games, he has hit 51.3% of his field goal attempts and is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game.

Through 77 games, the Pelicans are averaging 114.2 points per contest, placing them 15th in the NBA. So far, the Pelicans are averaging 99.3 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. If the Pelicans offense is going to turn things around, they will need to either generate more possessions or improve their overall efficiency. Currently, they are just 15th ranked team in 3-point shooting percentage.

Currently, the Pelicans defense is ranked 13th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 110.28 points per game vs the unit.

Point-Guard CJ McCollum currently leads the Pelicans at 20.9 points per game. For the season, he is 54th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 20.4% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, McCollum is averaging 4.3 boards and 5.9 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 11th ranked defense at defending point-guards. Jonas Valanciunas enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 74 games, he is averaging 14.3 and is 61st in the league in player efficiency rating.