A high-scoring game should be expected when the New Orleans Pelicans (12-12) and the Los Angeles Clippers (15-7) face off at Smoothie King Center. The game will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 3, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 237.5 points with New Orleans opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction
The Clippers failed to cover as 2-point favorites in their 114-110 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their last outing. The combined points for the game (224) came in under the O/U total of 236. Dallas’ rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Mavericks had 17 offensive rebounds and 64 total rebounds, while the Clippers had eight and 44, respectively. Montrezl Harrell was Los Angeles’ leading scorer with 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting.
In the Pelicans’ previous matchup, they were victorious over the Charlotte Hornets, 119-109, covering as 3-point favorites. The combined points for the game (228) hit the projected point total. The Pelicans had a great effective field goal percentage of 0.576 (above their season average of 0.528) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.1 vs. 21.2). Anthony Davis was the game’s high scorer with 36 points on 14-for-19 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Davis scored a game-high 34 points and the Pelicans defeated the Clippers 116-109, covering as 5.5-point favorites. He also had 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. The game finished with a total of 225 points, which was 12.5 points below the projected point total of 237.5 points. The Pelicans had a much better turnover percentage (6.7 vs. 13.9) and had a better free throw rate (0.323 vs. 0.253).
Los Angeles comes into the game with records of 15-7 straight up (SU) and 14-7 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Clippers are involved, as 61.9 percent of their games have gone over the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 12-12 SU and 10-13 ATS. Games involving the Pelicans also tend to go over the O/U total (56.5 percent).
Harrell and Danilo Gallinari have played well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Harrell has averaged 20 points,8.4 rebounds,1.6 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Gallinari has put up 17 points,7.2 rebounds,3.6 assists a game during that span.
Expect New Orleans to own the offensive glass in this matchup. The Pelicans rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (27.0 percent), while Los Angeles ranks 26th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.0 percent). Also, the Clippers’ fourth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 110.9) will try to exploit the Pelicans’ 24th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 109.8).
Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 6-5 ATS with 7 overs and 4 unders.
At home, New Orleans is 6-5 ATS with 6 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
New Orleans is 2-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 3-0.
The Pelicans are 12-11 when they reach 100 points, while the Clippers are 15-6.
New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (57.8) while Los Angeles ranks 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.8).
The Pelicans rank third in rebounds per game (48.6) while the Clippers rank 25th in rebounds allowed per game (46.8).
New Orleans averages 17.3 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.7) while the Clippers rank 23rd (22.3).
New Orleans ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.8) while Los Angeles ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (6.2).
The Pelicans average 13.208333333333334 fast break points per game, which ranks 14 in the NBA. The Clippers rank 22 in fast break points allowed per game (14.636363636363637).
Los Angeles ranks 18 in steals allowed per game (7.7727272727272725) while New Orleans ranks 25 (9.166666666666666).
The Pelicans rank 22 in points off turnovers per game (16.375) while the Clippers rank 26 (14.909090909090908).
New Orleans ranks 24 in three pointers attempted per game (28.625) while Los Angeles ranks 27 (25.227272727272727).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five games, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New Orleans is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.6, up from 4.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 113.2 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.4 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
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