Pelicans vs. Clippers Prediction and Odds for NBA Play-In Tournament (Trust Paul George, Clippers)

Who wants the right to play the NBA’s best team in the first round of the playoffs? 

That’s what the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans are playing for on Friday when they face off in the play-in tournament. The Pelicans picked up a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night to advance, but it didn’t come without a scare in the fourth quarter. 

The Clippers, on the other hand, blew a lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves to land themselves in this game. Los Angeles has Paul George back in the lineup, making it much more dangerous, but can it win and cover at home?

Here are the odds for this game via WynnBET: 

Pelicans vs. Clippers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Pelicans +4 (-110)
• Clippers -4 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Pelicans: +152
• Clippers: -185

Total:

• 216.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

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Pelicans vs. Clippers Prediction and Pick

This is actually right where I want the Clippers to be, as I think there is a ton of value on them if they get the No. 8 seed and can get past the Phoenix Suns. You can catch the full breakdown of my thought process in the video below: 

As for this game, there are a few things that I want to look at when comparing these two teams. 

Since George came back, the Clippers have looked like the team we thought they would be had he and Kawhi Leonard been healthy this season. Leonard is still out, but the Clippers have tried to supplement that with the additions of Norman Powell and Robert Covington. 

Here is where the Clippers rank in some key statistics since George’s return: 

• Offensive Rating: No. 1 (127.1)
• Defensive Rating: No. 6 (109.0)
• Net Rating: No. 1 (18.1)
• Effective Field Goal Percentage: No. 3 (61.3 percent)

Yeah, this team is damn good when George is able to play. 

I know the Clippers’ squandered a late lead to lose to the Timberwolves in the first play-in game, but the Pelicans are a much different team. Los Angeles smoked New Orleans by 19 with George back on April 3.

The Pelicans have scoring troubles of their own at times, as the over five minute fourth quarter drought against the Spurs on Wednesday almost cost them a chance at playing in this game. 

I’m going to back the Clippers, but will wait to officially place my exact wager on them until closer to this game tipping off. 

Lean: Clippers -4 (-110)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.