The LA Clippers (42-23) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (39-26) Friday with tip-off from Smoothie King Center set for 8 p.m. ET . Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Clippers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Pelicans lead 2-1
The Clippers routed the Chicago Bulls 126-111 Thursday night without G James Harden (shoulder).'F Paul George led the way with 28 points with 7 assists, and he shot 6-for-7 from 3-point land. G Kawhi Leonard shrugged off back spasms from the previous game to drop 27 points. The Clippers are 5-5 over the last 10 and sit in 4th place in the West — 3 games up on the Pels.
The Pelicans snapped a 4-game winning streak with a dud against the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night. The Cavs won 116-95 as 5.5-point dogs. F Zion Williamson had 33 points and 9 boards. F Brandon Ingram had 20, but the rest of the team scored just 42 points. This is an important game in order to sneak into the top 4 in the conference.