Harden, Resurgent LA Visits Pelicans in Battle of West Contenders
Clippers vs Pelicans Odds: Los Angeles 11-2 Over Last 13 Games
The Los Angeles Clippers finally look like a bona fide contender with James Harden, having won 11 of their last 13 games. Coming off an upset of Phoenix, Los Angeles now hits the road to face New Orleans on Friday (8 p.m. ET). The Pelicans have enjoyed similar success of late thanks, partly, to a resurgence from oft-injured Zion Williamson.
The betting line is close as expected, with New Orleans opening as a 1.5-point favorite. The Pelicans are also -120 on the moneyline, with Los Angeles priced at +100 to win outright. The projected total is 228.5.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and analyze the Clippers vs Pelicans odds.
Clippers vs Pelicans 
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Day/Time:
Clippers vs Pelicans Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Clippers are 17-16 ATS, including 7-8 away from home. Los Angeles is also 13-18-2 against the Over/Under, having gone Under the total in eight of its 15 road games. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are 20-14-1 ATS, including 12-7 at home. They’ve gone Over the Over Under NBA total in nine of their 19 home games. That’s important to remember when assessing the Clippers vs Pelicans odds.
Now That’s More Like It
After an inauspicious start, the Clippers appear to have gotten on track with James Harden. They’ve won 13 of their last 15 games to surge atop the Pacific Division, including Wednesday’s 131-122 victory over Phoenix in which Paul George scored 33 points to help them cover as 4-point favorites.
At 21-12, Los Angeles has also climbed to fourth in the Western Conference and now owns the second-best odds to win the conference at +500. The Clippers are also +1000 to win the NBA Finals, trailing only Boston (+330), defending champion Denver (+425) and Milwaukee (+475).
Fueled by the Big Three of Harden, George, and Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles ranks ninth in scoring (117.2 PPG) and fourth in shooting percentage (49.0). Six different Clippers are averaging double figures in points, led by Leonard (24.6).
Los Angeles has been incredibly profitable for bettors lately, covering in eight of its last 11 games. As a favorite, Los Angeles is 16-10 ATS and 21-5 OU, including 14 straight victories. But it has not won in seven tries as an underdog, during which it is 1-6 ATS. Bettors should keep that in mind when analyzing the Clippers vs Pelicans odds.
New Orleans Heating Up
The Pelicans have won four straight games, including Wednesday’s 117-106 victory over the West-leading Timberwolves in which Zion Williamson dropped 27 points. New Orleans, which closed at +6, improved to 9-6 OU and 10-5 ATS as an underdog.
At 21-14, New Orleans now leads the Southwest Division and sits sixth in the Western Conference, a mere game behind the Clippers. In addition to being a +100 division favorite, the Pelicans are also +2200 to win the West and have seen their NBA Finals odds move to +5500.
Forward Brandon Ingram is the Pelicans’ top scorer, averaging 22.8 points with 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Williamson is averaging 22.1 points. More importantly, the former No. 1 pick has managed to stay healthy. He’s already played in 29 of the Pelicans’ first 35 games, matching his total from the previous two seasons combined.
Notably, New Orleans has been among the most profitable teams for bettors. The Pelicans have covered 58.8% of their games, the fifth-highest rate in the NBA. They’re 10-10 ATS and 12-8 OU when favored but beat Los Angeles 116-106 on Nov. 24 as a 5.5-point underdog. Williamson (32) and Ingram (30) combined for 64 points, as the Clippers proved no match for the star-studded duo.
New Orleans is also 8-3 in its last 11 games at home.
Handicapping the Game
Los Angeles and New Orleans are among the NBA’s hottest teams, and there will be no shortage of star power on display. Recent trends may favor the Pelicans, who have won five straight meetings and are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games when playing Los Angeles at home.
That said, this is a noticeably different Clippers team. After taking a while to gel following the trade for Harden, Los Angeles has kicked things into gear. Over his last 10 games, Harden is averaging 20.9 points on 48% shooting (48.7% from 3) to go with 10.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
When making their NBA game predictions, bettors should anticipate this being one of the closer matchups on Friday’s slate.
For NBA scores this week, betting odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
