New Orleans Pelicans at L.A. Clippers
Time: 10:35 PM ET, Mar 1, 2014
Spread: LAC -11.5
M/L: LAC -900; NOP +600
Total: 209
Betting odds courtesy of 5dimes
The Los Angeles Clippers are 40-20 and seated 4th in the Western Conference picture. The New Orleans Pelicans are 23-35 and 11 games behind 8th seeded Phoenix. The Pelicans are 10-21 on the road this season where it faces the Clippers, a 24-5 home team. The Clippers are 11.5 point favorites according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes.
New Orleans dealt its 2014 first rounder to acquire Jrue Holiday, and it’s tough to say whether that decision will ultimately pay off. Holiday is leading the team in assists (7.9) and steals (1.6), but he is out the remainder of the season after having surgery on a stress fracture in his right tibia. Anthony Davis has blossomed in his second year and the forward made the All-Star team as a replacement for Kobe Bryant.
Davis is averaging 20.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.52 steals and 2.98 blocks per game this season. Though Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans are both disappointments, the tandem has far more talent to be displayed if the Pelicans can get it from them. Gordon is averaging 15.9 points and Evans is averaging 12 points per game. Ryan Anderson has been very good this season and is averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Anderson is out for a minimum of two months with herniated discs in his back.
The Clippers have the league’s second highest scoring offense (107.2 points per game) and have improved its defense markedly under the coaching of Doc Rivers. This season, the Clips surrender 101.2 points per game (16th), and DeAndre Jordan has to be credited with anchoring the defense. Jordan is averaging 14 rebounds and 2.43 blocks per game.
Blake Griffin has improved his jump shot and ball handling, which has made it easier for his role to expand. This season, Griffin is averaging 24.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Chris Paul is having another typical campaign, averaging 18.8 points and 11.1 assists per game with a PER of 26.6. The Clippers have a host of role players in Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford, J.J. Redick and Darren Collison, and the team could potentially represent the Western Conference in the Finals. It ultimately will hinge upon how well the wing defenders can do for the Clips in a premier matchup against Houston or OKC.
NOP Trends: 0-3-1 ATS in last 4 games vs teams with winning SU records; 0-3-2 ATS in last 5 following ATS loss; UNDER 9-1 in last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in previous game.
LAC Trends: 4-0 ATS in last 4 when opponent allows 100 points or more in previous game; 4-0 ATS in last 4 vs teams with winning percentage below .400; OVER 5-1 in last 6 overall.
Head-to-head: Pelicans 19-7 ATS in last 26 meetings; Pelicans 9-4 ATS in last 13 in Los Angeles.
