Pelicans Host The Clippers With Huge Playoff Implications On The Line

Friday night's game between the Pelicans and Clippers could be a first-round playoff preview.

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (39-26) have a huge battle Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers (42-23) at the Smoothie King Center. Friday's game could have huge implications on playoff seeding in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is currently No. 4 in the standings, with the Pelicans three games behind them in the standings. A win by the Pelicans on Friday gives them the season series win and a tiebreaker over the Clippers.

New Orleans' four-game winning streak ended with a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Pelicans made a season-low four three-pointers in the double-digit defeat. That game was an anomaly shooting for New Orleans, who averages the fifth-best shooting percentage from beyond the arc in the league. The Pels could get back on track against L.A., who has struggled to defend the three-point line in the last week. The Clippers have the second-worst opponent three-point percentage in the league (42.3%) over the last week. 

Feb 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Pelicans have won five of the last six games at home against the Clippers, but Los Angeles defeated them the last time they played in New Orleans. The Clippers showed a strong defensive performance, holding the Pelicans under 100 points. L.A. remains a solid defensive team, holding their opponents to 46.9% (No. 9) and 7.8 steals per game (No. 7). Defensive anchors Kawhi Leonard and Paul George solidify the Clippers' stingy defense. 

Los Angeles will be without some firepower on Friday, with James Harden not expected to play due to a shoulder injury. Harden is third on the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 points per game. L.A. also will be without Russell Westbrook, who is out for an extended period of time with a hand fracture. The Clippers are 4-3 in the last seven games without the veteran guard. New Orleans must take advantage of the injured and weary Clippers. L.A. played in Chicago on Thursday night in their victory over the Bulls. 

Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 3-4 this season at home on Friday nights. Zion Williamson averages 20 points a game in his career against the Clippers, with just one game with 30 points. Both Williamson and Brandon Ingram scored just 12 points in the last meeting against the Clippers. The Clippers also have a solid bench, led by Norman Powell, who is a top NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate. The New Orleans bench must step up to match the production from Powell and Co.

The Pelicans are in the middle of a three-game home stand. After Friday's game, New Orleans hosts the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Saturday evening.