LA Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 12/30/24

Los Angeles Clippers 

The Los Angeles Clippers are starting to heat up again as they've won four of their past five games and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after beating the Warriors in a 102-92 win on Friday. Norman Powell led the team with 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting, James Harden added 18 points with seven assists while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. As a team, the Clippers shot 53 percent from the field and 10 of 32 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they kept the Warriors in check from the start and were always in control after restricting the Warriors to just 19 points in the third quarter where they led by 21 points. 

New Orleans Pelicans 

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in horrible shape as they've lost 27 of their first 32 games and they will be hoping to put a halt to a nine-game losing streak after getting beaten by the Grizzlies in a 132-124 loss on Friday. Trey Murphy led the team with 35 points on 10 of 21 shooting, CJ McCollum added 32 points on 12 of 22 shooting while Dejounte Murray chipped in with 15 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 11 of 38 from the 3-point line, but they had no answers for the Grizzlies on the defensive end and were never in the contest after allowing 74 points in the first half. In fact, the Pelicans trailed in this one by as many as 22 points before they rallied with 36 points in the fourth quarter to make it interesting at the end. The Pels will meet the Heat and Wizards (b2b set) after this one.

Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 11 night games following a home loss.
• The Clippers have won each of their last 13 games as road favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a home win.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as underdogs.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Pelicans' last eight games as home underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Clippers' last five road games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.

LA Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

The Clippers are still missing Kawhi Leonard and Terance Mann, while the Pelicans are still missing Zion Williamson, Jose Alverado, and Brandon Ingram. The Clippers are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum, they are relatively healthy and their defense will really stifle this depleted Pelicans squad who are missing most of their best players. The line isn't too high for this one, so I am sticking with the Clippers who have clearly been the better team, playing better basketball at the moment.