Pelicans vs Clippers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Picks Today (3/15): Lack of Rest Hurts LA

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The LA Clippers (42-23) will play their second road game in as many nights when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans (39-26) at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 15.

CLIPPERS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/1e553T4ZD3

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 15, 2024

After establishing a lead in the first quarter, the Clippers never looked back as they picked up a 126-111 win over the Chicago Bulls last night. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are back in action after Wednesday's 116-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers ended their four-game winning streak.

Can LA win on back-to-back days? Or will New Orleans begin a new winning streak tonight?

With so many NBA betting opportunities on the table, let's get into my Clippers vs. Pelicans predictions and best bets.

Pelicans vs Clippers NBA Betting Tonight (3/15)

Clippers vs Pelicans Matchup Information

• Matchup: LA Clippers (42-23, 20-13 Away) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (39-26, 18-13 Home)
• Venue & Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
• Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
• Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Clippers vs. Pelicans: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports SoCal

Pelicans vs Clippers Odds & Spread

Pelicans vs. Clippers odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Friday, March 15 at 9:17 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Clippers vs Pelicans Spread

• LA Clippers +7 (-105)
• New Orleans Pelicans -7 (-115)

Pelicans vs Clippers Over/Under

• Over 217 Points (-110)
• Under 217 Points (-110)

Clippers vs Pelicans Moneyline

• LA Clippers (+235)
• New Orleans Pelicans (-285)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 season game.

You can also check out:

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• 2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction & Dark Horse Pick
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Clippers vs Pelicans NBA Betting Trends

• The Clippers are 1-6 straight up in their last seven games vs. New Orleans.
• New Orleans is 10-2 straight up in its last 12 games played in March.
• The Clippers are 5-11 ATS In their last 16 games.
• New Orleans is 1-8-1 ATS in its last 10 games on a Wednesday.
• The total hit the Over in four of the Clippers' last five games.
• The total hit the Under in seven of New Orleans' last nine games vs. the Clippers.

Clippers vs Pelicans Prediction & NBA Picks Today (3/15): Can New Orleans Stay Hot?

It's the fourth and final 2023-24 campaign meeting between these teams. Although the Pelicans hold the 2-1 series lead entering the finale, it was the Clippers who won the sole previous meeting at Smoothie King Center back in January.

Nevertheless, that was an example of LA finding rare success against New Orleans. The Clippers have come up short more often than not when these teams collide, losing five of the last six meetings. Even worse is the fact that all but one of those losses came by three or more possessions.

It's going to be interesting to see if that trend continues after the Clippers played less than 24 hours ago. Tyron Lue's team has played to mixed results in the second half of back-to-back games this season, going 6-5 SU when playing with zero days of rest.

On the flip side, the Pelicans are 24-16 SU when playing with exactly one day of rest in 2023-24.

Will the Pelicans continue to get the better of the Clippers?

Another thing working against the Clippers is their inability to cover the spread. Not only has LA gone 5-11 ATS across its last 16 games, but it also failed to cover in six of its last seven Western Conference matchups.

Additionally, the Clippers only have a 40% ATS success rate as the road underdog, which ranks seventh-worst in the NBA.

On the flip side, the Pelicans have seen the opposite results, going 3-1-1 ATS in their five previous matchups. They've also covered the spread in six of their last seven games against the Clippers while also going 7-1 ATS across the last eight showdowns between these teams in New Orleans.

There's also a chance that the Clippers could be without James Harden, who's questionable with a shoulder injury for the second straight game. Although the Clippers managed to win without him last night, his absence could play a bigger role given his team's lack of rest.

Will the Clippers be in trouble if James Harden (shoulder) doesn't play again tonight?

After the Clippers played in Chicago last night, I see the Pelicans winning tonight. On top of being solid at home this season, New Orleans has had LA's number for the last few years. With the lack of proper rest likely affecting the Clippers' older roster, the Pelicans have no excuse to lose tonight.

As for the best bet, I'm willing to take the Over on the 217-point total. Although the total has hit the Under in seven of their last nine meetings, four of the last five Clippers-Pelicans tilts exceeded 217 points — including two of this season's meetings.

In other words, I'd be surprised if they don't surpass that mark again.

Clippers vs Pelicans NBA Prediction: NOP wins

Best Clippers vs Pelicans NBA Bet: o217 Total Points (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Clippers vs. Pelicans NBA picks today at Bovada

Best Clippers vs Pelicans NBA Prop Bet (3/15)

There are some solid Clippers vs. Pelicans player props on the board tonight, including CJ McCollum to record over 2.5 threes made.

Although his accuracy from deep hasn't been great in his last 16 games (36.4%), McCollum is still averaging 2.9 threes made. He finished with the Over on this prop 12 times during that stretch. Although the veteran guard went 0-for-5 from three-point range in his last outing, he's averaging 4.0 3PM in games following one where he didn't score a single three-pointer in the previous outing.

With the Over also being 4-1 in his last five meetings with the Clippers, looking for McCollum to find more perimeter success.

Best Clippers vs Pelicans Prop Bet: CJ McCollum o2.5 Threes Made (-160)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Clippers vs Pelicans NBA picks today at Bovada

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