Slumping Pelicans Visit Inconsistent Clippers

After a strong start to the season, Zion Williamson and the Pelicans (4-5 SU, 3-6 ATS) have lost three straight. They look to turn things around when they visit the Clippers (7-4, 6-5), who have alternated wins and losses over their last six games.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Clippers have been money-burners recently when favored in this price range, going just 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS in their last six as chalk of 6 points or more. Early money came in on the Pelicans, dropping the line to -6 as of Wednesday morning.

New Orleans News & Notes

Thanks to the postponement of Monday’s game against the Mavericks, New Orleans has had four days to chew on Friday’s 118-110 loss to Charlotte, when the Pelicans blew an 18-point lead.

New Orleans allowed 71 second-half points en route to dropping its third straight game, a skid that comes on the heels of a 4-2 SU start under new head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Following Friday’s contest, Van Gundy pointed the finger at his team’s defensive effort, telling reporters that he’s seen a severe drop-off at that end of the floor since the team came out of training camp.

The Pels have allowed an average of 115.75 points in their last four games after allowing just 99.2 in their first five outings. More importantly for bettors, the OVER has cashed in each of New Orleans’ last four games after the UNDER hit in the first five.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Kawhi Leonard looked happy to shed his protective mask on Sunday, tying a career high with seven three-pointers in the Clippers’ 130-127 win over the Bulls. Five of Leonard’s triples came in the third quarter when he scored 21 points, and his seven treys came on just nine attempts.

Leonard had struggled with his shot and even acknowledged difficulty breathing while wearing the mask, which he had donned since suffering a mouth laceration on Christmas Day.

Even with Leonard’s breakout performance, however, the Clippers struggled to get by a Chicago team that has won just four of its first 11 outings. LA hasn’t won a game by more than seven points since December 30, going 2-4 ATS during that stretch, and the bench has been outscored this season by a league-worst 4.4 points per game. In fact, LA’s reserves are allowing 119.6 points per 100 possessions, roughly 25 percent more than what the starters are giving up.

Betting Pick: Pelicans +6

This certainly looks like a step-up spot for the Pelicans, Sportsbook a six-game road trip on extra rest and having their defensive intensity questioned by their coach. Expect LA to have to sweat it out once again as a 6-point favorite.