The NBA betting action continues this weekend with a thrilling Pelicans vs Clippers contest. Below we’ll be covering the ins-and-outs of this matchup and much more.
Pelicans vs Clippers: Aug. 1 Game Preview
Which Team Will Rebound More Quickly From A Broken Heart?
The New Orleans Pelicans and the L.A. Clippers each suffered a heart-breaking two-point loss in their first game back on the court at the Orlando Bubble. One of these teams will get their 2020 season back on track. While the other will be left reeling and scratching their heads.
The Pelicans led by as many as 16 points in the opening game vs. the Utah Jazz, before blowing the lead in the 4th quarter. C Rudy Gobert put the Jazz ahead for good 106-104 on two free throws with seconds to go, and Pelican star SF Brandon Ingram missed a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the game.
The Clippers and Lakers went back and forth all night in a blow-for-blow heavyweight battle in their first restart game. In the closing seconds, it was superstar LeBron James who tipped in his own missed shot to give the Lakers the lead 103-101. Clippers SG Paul George heaved a desperation three that clanked off of the rim as time expired. George thought he was fouled on the play, but the referees did not agree.
Pelicans Big Underdogs
New Orleans finds itself as a 5.5-point underdog. The Clips (+310) are a powerful team with high hopes for a berth in the NBA Finals, while the Pelicans (+9000) are a spunky young team fighting against at least five other teams for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
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New Orleans will have to defeat tough teams like Los Angeles if it wants to reach the postseason
Head-to-Head 2019-2020
The Clippers have lost one of the three meetings against the Pelicans, and that was in New Orleans Nov, 14 in a game they played without superstar SF Kawhi Leonard and starting PG Patrick Beverley. In SG Paul George’s Clips debut, he dropped 33 points on the Pelicans, but it wasn’t enough as Los Angeles fell to New Orleans, 132-127.
Ten days later they faced off again at Staples Center, and the crowd watched with glee as the home team stomped the insurgents, 134-109. Clippers PF Montrezl Harrell led all scorers with a career-high 34 points.
On Jan. 18, the Clippers won on the road 133-130 without George. Leonard scored 39 points It’s important to note that phenom PF Zion Williamson was absent from the lineup for all three previous matchups.
Key Matchups
The Clippers are clearly the better team here, when healthy. However, both PF Montrezl Harrell (personal) and SG Lou Williams (COVID-19 quarantine) will be missing from the lineup. Together they average a total of 52.6 PPG vs. the Pelicans. No doubt their presence will certainly be missed by Los Angeles.
The Pelicans are completely healthy and will have Zion on the court, finally. He scored 13 points in 15 minutes during his highly anticipated re-launch opener vs. the Jazz. However, he failed to pull down a single rebound. Zion’s limited playing time, as he eases back into action, may slow a Pelicans team that needs to come out of the gates hard and fast in order to be relevant.
Will David take out Goliath in this matchup? Only time will tell.
