Pelicans Scoop

Pelicans vs. Clippers Game Preview | March 25

Brandon Ingram will lead the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans against an L.A. Clippers squad missing Paul George.

Chris Dodson

Pelicans vs. Clippers Game Preview | March 25
Pelicans vs. Clippers Game Preview | March 25 /
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LOS ANGELES- The New Orleans Pelicans (36-37) have moved up to ninth place in the Western Conference playoff race with just nine games remaining in the regular season. They are riding a three-game winning streak but play the next four on the road against other postseason contenders. 

The first stop is the Crypto.com Arena to face an LA Clippers squad missing an All-Star. Paul George (knee) was sidelined for Thursday’s win versus Oklahoma City and is expected to be out for multiple weeks. Norman Powell (shoulder) hasn’t played in a game since March 2.

The Pelicans will again be without Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Jose Alvarado (right tibial stress reaction). Trey Murphy III (toe) is also listed as questionable. Veterans Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas will be tasked to once again lead a young team to victory.

Herb Jones
Mar 21, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) looks to pass the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
  • When: Saturday, March 25 @ 9:30 PM CT
  • Where: Los Angeles, CA - Crytpo.com Arena
  • Watch: Bally Sports NO
  • Listen: 99.5 WRNO

The Clippers (39-35) are trying to hold on to a top-6 seed. Those extra few days of rest before the playoff start would be crucial to a team that is constantly dealing with load management issues. Kawhi Leonard is back, but George may be out for the rest of the year.

Las Vegas is leaning towards a Clippers win, and they have come away with 32 wins in the 48 contests as the favorite this season. New Orleans is just 1-11 as a heavy road underdog this year.

New Orleans needs to avoid a shootout. The Clippers are 28-6 overall when scoring more than 112.8 points. New Orleans is 29-9 when allowing fewer than 112.9 points. LA is in the top half of the NBA in just two stats: fouls committed and three-point field goals made. 

The Pelicans have given up several franchise-high and career nights from beyond the arc this season already. Continuing to move the ball quickly around the perimeter and pounding the paint to feed Valanciunas for paint touches will be a priority.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Clippers: Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac

Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Jonas Valanciunas

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Chris Dodson
CHRIS DODSON

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