This Western Conference matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the LA Clippers on Sunday is a mismatch on paper. The Pelicans arrive with renewed offensive firepower after back‑to‑back victories, including a 129‑118 win over the Utah Jazz where Saddiq Bey dropped 42 points and Zion Williamson added 20. But they have struggled for most of the season, while the Clippers have fought their way back to respectability out West. Before these teams play at Intuit Dome, keep reading to get my Pelicans vs Clippers prediction in the betting markets.
Our Pelicans vs Clippers Pick
Pick: LA Clippers -8.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans @ LA Clippers
Date & Time: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
New Orleans is playing better basketball recently, driven by a huge recent scoring performance from Saddiq Bey and a solid showing from Zion Williamson in their latest wins.
Los Angeles has lost three straight and is coping with injuries that have limited roster stability, while there’s buzz that Darius Garland could return imminently to bolster the Clippers’ backcourt. In fairness, the Clippers have lost three straight to good teams in the Lakers, Magic, and Timberwolves and could bounce back here.
This is the second game of a back-to-back for New Orleans after they played in Utah last night.
Key Players
Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard - Leonard leads the Clippers with roughly 28.0 points per game and adds 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists, serving as the cornerstone of LA’s offense and a leader in tough road and home games.
John Collins - When healthy, Collins is a useful contributor at all levels offensively. He can shoot from the outside, score at the rim, and hit from the mid-range, unlocking a ton of possibilities for the Clippers.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trey Murphy III - Averaging 22.1 points with good shooting efficiency, Murphy is a primary offensive weapon, particularly from beyond the arc and in spacing the floor. He is questionable for this game and it'd be huge if the Pels had him available.
Zion Williamson - Williamson’s interior scoring and physical presence are key for New Orleans, as he can take over games in crunch time and generate high‑efficiency shots. He is also listed as questionable here.
Saddiq Bey - Fresh off a 42‑point performance, Bey’s outside shooting makes him a dynamic scorer who complements the Pelicans’ stars.
Stat Comparison
Statistic
Pelicans
Clippers
Points per game
115.0
111.7
Points allowed per game
120.1
112.2
Team Field Goal %
46%
48%
Rebounds Per Game
43.9
40.8
Assists Per Game
25.2
23.5
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
This first meeting between these teams this season was competitive, a 126‑124 Clippers victory on October 31.
The Clippers are 30-28 against the spread so far this season.
New Orleans is 33-26-1 against the spread going into this contest.
Pelicans vs Clippers Model Projection
Score Projection: Pelicans 112 – Clippers 122 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Pelicans 30%, Clippers 70% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
Despite New Orleans riding the momentum of recent wins and offensive firepower from key scorers, the Clippers’ home-court advantage and stronger defensive profile make them the more reliable pick in this one. I expect LA to limit New Orleans' looks at the rim and to win this game by double-digits at Intuit Dome.
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