Clippers vs. Pelicans Pick
Are the host New Orleans Pelicans going to be able to win their first game since the season-ending injury to DeMarcus Cousins tonight when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 4PM ET?
Who Oddsmakers Like: New Orleans. According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Pelicans are a 1.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 227 points. The spread opened as a pick’em, while the over-under has gone down from 229.
Who the Public Likes: New Orleans. As of Sunday morning, 64 percent of public bets have come in on the Pelicans.
Injury Report: Clippers forward Jawun Evans has missed the last three games with a sore lower abdomen and will be out again today. Danilo Gallinari is doubtful with a glute injury. Patrick Beverley is out for the season after knee surgery. Austin Rivers is out until early February with an Achilles strain. CJ Williams is rehabbing a sprained ankle and is out indefinitely. For the Pelicans, Cousins is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon last game. Frank Jackson is out until early February after foot surgery. Tony Allen is out until early February with a leg fracture. Alex Ajinca is likely out for the season after surgery on his patellar tendon. Solomon Hill is out until mid-February after surgery to repair a torn hamstring.
Who the Trends Like: Los Angeles is 5-17 ATS in the last 22 meetings in New Orleans and 12-26 ATS in the last 38 meetings overall. The over is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in New Orleans.
Who We Like: What an unfortunate and heartbreaking season-ending injury suffered by Cousins right at the end of a 115-113 home win over the Rockets, New Orleans’ fourth straight victory. I think today is one of those situations where the rest of the team bands together in the absence of a star player and gets it done. I almost took the over here as I expect it to be a very high-scoring game, but ultimately I think emotion will help carry the Pelicans here. Expect a massive game out of Anthony Davis and also Jrue Holiday as both of their usage rates skyrocket when Boogie is off the floor.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 1.5