Clippers vs Pelicans predictions
When it comes to the LA Clippers, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Norman Powell as he continues to impress with his scoring abilities. Fans can expect him to lead the charge with around 26 points while sharing the playmaking responsibilities alongside the evergreen James Harden. Harden, being the dynamic player he is, likely has a double-double in mind, visualizing himself snagging at least 23 points and dishing out somewhere in the realm of 9 assists. Not to bypass the efforts of Ivica Zubac, who's been a towering presence on the boards all season; he should maintain his high rebounding numbers, possibly pulling down close to 15 boards while also adding key offensive points in the paint.
On the New Orleans Pelicans side, there's a palpable excitement around CJ McCollum, who figures to be pivotal in any effort to break their current skid. Expect him to be a focal point in the offense, projecting to drop around 21 points and assist teammates with about 4 assists. Trey Murphy appears poised for a scoring outburst, with a potential to surpass even McCollum in points if his rhythm from downtown stays intact. Meanwhile, Yves Missi’s recent grumble with a back bruise puts a question mark on his performance, yet if he suits up, eight or nine rebounds isn't a far-fetched expectation, giving the team some much-needed presence inside.
Now, in terms of predicting a winner, the LA Clippers seem to have the edge given their current position in the standings and their balanced roster. While basketball is anything but predictable, it feels like the Clippers might have just enough firepower and poise to take this one, especially considering their preference for averaging out to a .500 team when playing on the road. The Pelicans, though playing at home, have struggled to find consistency, and unless they catch lightning in a bottle, the Clippers are likely leaving the Smoothie King Center with a victory. However, in the spirit of the game, anything can happen once the ball tips off, and that unpredictability is what keeps us glued to our screens.
