The Clippers had a chance to clinch the seventh seed and face Memphis in the first round of the playoffs, but they fell 109-104 against Minnesota on Tuesday.  The Pelicans are still alive following a 113-103 win over San Antonio on Wednesday.

Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 216.0.

Pelicans vs. Clippers NBA Betting Odds

New Orleans came out on top in three of four regular season meetings this year, but L.A. took the last game 119-100 at home on April 3.  The total has gone Under in four of the last five head-to-heads between these teams.

The Pelicans squeaked into the play-in tournament with a losing record both at home, 20-22, and on the road, 17-24.  They were 41-40-1 against the spread this season, but have failed to cover in five of their last six games against teams with a winning straight up record.  The total has gone Under in seven of New Orleans’ last eight games following a SU win.

Los Angeles was a healthy 25-16 at home this season, compared to just 17-25 on the road.  They’re an even 41-41 ATS overall and have covered in their last six games against teams with a losing SU record.  The Over is 3-0-2 in the Clippers’ last five games following a SU loss.

New Orleans Pelicans

CJ McCollum kicked things off early for New Orleans on Wednesday, scoring 27 of his game-high 32 points in the first half.  McCollum, who also added six rebounds and seven assists, made 10 of his first 12 shots, including two of three from long range despite consistent double teams.  Brandon Ingram added 27 points, while Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and 14 rebounds.

With former first overall pick Zion Williamson not expected to play at all this year due to a foot injury, McCollum has led the offence for this team since being acquired from Portland in February.  McCollum averages team-highs in points (24.3) and assists (5.8).

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers will get a second crack at clinching a playoff spot after Tuesday’s loss in Minnesota.  Paul George finished with a game-high 34 points and seven rebounds after shooting just 2 for 10 in the first half.  Reggie Jackson had 17 points and seven boards, while Norman Powell added 16 points.

Los Angeles has benefitted from the return of George and Powell, who both missed significant time with injuries this year.  Injuries have been a theme for this team as Kawhi Leonard has missed the full year after tearing his ACL in the second round of the playoffs last year.  George is averaging a team-high 24.3 ppg, while Powell is second with 21.4 ppg.  Luke Kennard is listed as questionable on Friday after leaving the regular season finale with a hamstring injury and not suiting up in the first play-in game.  Kennard is the team’s fifth-leading scorer, averaging 11.9 ppg.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Clippers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

LAC

Points	Paul George 24.32
Assists	Paul George 5.68
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 8.47
FG%	Isaiah Hartenstein 62.6
Steals	Paul George 2.16
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.22

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

LAC

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

LAC

Points	Paul George 24.32
Assists	Paul George 5.68
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 8.47
FG%	Isaiah Hartenstein 62.6
Steals	Paul George 2.16
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.22

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

LAC

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

New Orleans

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Thurs Finger - 27 / 04 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Ques Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Wed Foot - 29 / 03 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Sun Foot - 27 / 03 / 22

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 27 / 03 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Prob Mon Hip - 19 / 03 / 22

L.A. Clippers

Paul George (SF)

Out indefinitely Illness - 15 / 04 / 22

Luke Kennard (SG)

Out Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 22

Paul George (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Nicolas Batum (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Norman Powell (SG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Luke Kennard (SG)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 06 / 04 / 22

Nicolas Batum (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22

Paul George (SF)

Out Fri Rest - 01 / 04 / 22

Injuries

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Thurs	Finger - 27 / 04 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Ingram is nursing a pair of right finger injuries, but he is expected to take on the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference first round.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Graham will not dress for Sunday's clash versus the Warriors as he will be given a day of rest.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Ques Wed	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Valanciunas is tending to right ankle soreness, and it is undetermined if he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22	4-5	6-3	+ -
Ingram is dealing with a tight right hamstring, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22	5-6	6-5	+ -
Valanciunas missed the previous game with a sore right ankle, but it is likely that he will hit the court on Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Wed	Foot - 29 / 03 / 22	6-7	6-7	+ -
Valanciunas is bothered by a sore right foot, but he is expected to battle the Blazers on Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Sun	Foot - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Valanciunas is hampered by right foot soreness, but it is expected that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
McCollum is nursing a sprain left ankle, but it is likely that he will battle the Lakers on Sunday.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Nance Jr. sat out the last game with a right knee injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Prob Mon	Hip - 19 / 03 / 22	10-9	8-11	+ -
Graham sat out the last contest with a right hip soreness, but it is likely that he will play against the Hornets on Monday.

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Paul George (SF)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 15 / 04 / 22	0-0	0-0	+ -
George has been added to the league's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return.
Luke Kennard (SG)	Out Fri	Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Kennard is nursing a sore right hamstring, and he will not be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference Play-In versus the Pelicans.
Paul George (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
George will not take the court for Sunday's matchup with the Thunder as he will be given a day of rest.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Morris Sr. will not be active for Sunday's clash with the Thunder as he will receive a day of rest.
Nicolas Batum (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Batum is battling left ankle soreness, but it is expected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Jackson has been assigned a day of rest and will not suit up against the Thunder on Sunday.
Norman Powell (SG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Powell will not dress for Sunday's game with the Thunder as he will be handed a day of rest.
Luke Kennard (SG)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 06 / 04 / 22	3-1	1-3	+ -
Kennard missed the previous game with a sore hamstring, but it is projected that he will face the Kings on Saturday.
Nicolas Batum (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22	4-1	2-3	+ -
Batum is hindered by left ankle soreness, but he is likely to lace up for Sunday's clash with the Pelicans.
Paul George (SF)	Out Fri	Rest - 01 / 04 / 22	4-2	3-3	+ -
George will not dress for Friday's clash with the Bucks as he will be given a day of rest.