Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

Date & Time: Sunday, January 10, 3:30 PM

Venue: Staples Center (Los Angeles)

Head to head record

New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Clippers 89-95 (2015/2016 NBA)
Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans 111-90 (2015/2016 NBA)
Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans 107-100 (2014/2015 NBA)
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Clippers 108-103 (2014/2015 NBA)
Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans 120-100 (2014/2015 NBA)

Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction

Los Angeles Clippers will be looking to build on a 109-98 win over Portland Trail Blazers when they take on New Orleans Pelicans at their Staples Center on Sunday. The visitors aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to the likes of Pacers and Mavericks, but it remains to be seen if they are capable of upsetting the star-studded hosts.

Seven-game winning run

By beating San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in the series Los Angeles Clippers made it to the Western Conference finals last season, but they failed to impress in the tie against Houston Rockets. Doc Rivers is still in charge of the team and the team’s goal remains unchanged as Clippers are eager to win the NBA title. The team sit in 4th place in the Western Conference and they are on a seven-game winning run ahead of Sunday’s game against New Orleans Pelicans. Chris Paul scored 21 points, while adding 19 assists in the win over Blazers and it has to be noted that key player Blake Griffin missed the match with injury. His injury rehab is going well, but he is unlikely to recover in time to face Pelicans. Anyhow, Doc Rivers’s men are regarded as favourites on paper to win Sunday’s game and you should have in mind that they are after their 12th home win of the season.

Blake Griffin remains in the recovery room, but coach Doc Rivers has no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of New Orleans Pelicans.

Back-to-back defeats

New Orleans Pelicans are not enjoying a season to remember. Alvin Gentry’s men are unlikely to book their place in the play-offs, but their pride will be at stake in the remainder of the season. The team head into Sunday’s game against L.A. Clippers following back-to-back defeats to Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks and it has to be noted that they scored no more than 177 points in total in previous two games. Tyreke Evans scored 28 points in the 86-91 loss to Indiana Pacers on Friday night and all eyes will be on him when Pelicans and Clippers take on each other in Staples Center on Sunday. You should bear in mind that Evans is averaging 15.9 points this season. Anyhow, Pelicans face an uphill task in the clash against the high-flying hosts and I do not believe that they are capable of recording their first win in the Staples Center since 2012.

Anthony Davies is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. The likes of Babbitt, Douglas and Perkins did not play against Indiana Pacers (coach decision), but they could return against Clippers.

Interesting Facts

• L.A. Clippers are eyeing their eight consecutive win
• Doc Rivers’ team scored 100+ points in six of their previous eight home games
• Clippers are after their seventh consecutive win over Pelicans at Staples Center
• New Orleans recorded one win in last three away games
• Pelicans scored less than 90 points in three of their last five away matches

Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans betting pick

Los Angeles Clippers have been in a thrilling form of late and despite the fact that Blake Griffin, who is averaging 23.2 points this season, is likely to miss Sunday’s game with injury, I believe that there is a big value in betting on the hosts, who are high on confidence ahead of the visit of Pelicans. New Orleans’ key player Anthony Davis could be sorely missed in the Staples Center clash and, taking everything into account, I am backing the hosts to cover the spread.

Pick: LA Clippers to cover the spread

Odds: -110