Pelicans vs Clippers Predictions & Odds (Oct. 30)

• LA is laying 2.5 points at home on Sunday afternoon in the Pelicans vs Clippers odds
• Zion Williamson (hip/back) is questionable after missing the last two games, while Kawhi Leonard (knee) will miss his fourth game of the season
• Keep reading for the complete Pelicans vs Clippers odds, along with the latest injury news and best bets

Injuries are front and center ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Pelicans (3-2, 2-1 away) vs Clippers (2-3, 0-1 home) tilt. Big names from both sides will be sitting out, while at least one star player is trending towards playing.

Zion Williamson is hoping to play after sitting out two straight games with hip and back issues. New Orleans split those outings with Dallas and Phoenix as underdogs, and will be catching points again in the NBA odds on Sunday in LA.

Pelicans vs Clippers Odds

Odds as of October 29 at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Pelicans vs Clippers game.

The Clippers are 2.5-point favorites, in a contest with a total of 224.5. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 pm ET at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, and will mark just the second home game for the Clippers this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Analysis

Not only has Williamson missed back-to-back games for New Orleans, but so too has Brandon Ingram. The 25-year-old suffered a concussion last Sunday versus the Jazz, and is still dealing with the side effects. He’ll miss his third straight game and his offense will surely be missed.

Brandon Ingram’s first 2 games this season:

28 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 58% FG, 2/4 3PM
28 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST, 50% FG, 1/1 3PM pic.twitter.com/86nTiQIwvh

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 22, 2022

Ingram averaged 22 points, six boards and four assists in three outings last week. Without Zion and Ingram, the Pelicans have averaged just 112 points per game in their last two contests, after scoring at least 121 points in their three games with them.

To make matters worse, starting small forward Herbert Jones has also missed the last two games, and is questionable for Sunday with a knee injury.

With the team decimated by injury, CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas have shouldered the offensive load. Valanciunas racked up 25 points and 10 boards in a losing effort on Friday in Phoenix, while McCollum has 20 assists over his past two starts.

CJ McCollum has tallied 32 assists to just 6 turnovers over the past 3 games. 2 rough shooting nights in a row while attempting to carry the entire load, but his growth as a lead guard has made him extremely effective despite the poor shooting nights. Bloom where you’re planted🌹 pic.twitter.com/73iyP4Iw2w

— PF (@PelicansFocus) October 29, 2022

McCollum enters play ranked seventh in the league in assists, averaging eight dimes per game. When healthy, this New Orleans team is fun to watch. They still rank fourth in the NBA in scoring and third in field goal percentage despite their injury concerns.

Defensively, they hover around average, ranking 19th in opponent points per game and 17th in enemy field goal percentage. They’ve allowed 122 or more points in two of three, but averaged only 110 points against when the entire roster was healthy.

Pelicans coach Willie Green tells me Zion Williamson and Herb Jones are both game-time decisions for tomorrow’s noon local tip against the Clippers.

With early start, most of testing on if they can go will happen today then see how they feel after their warmups tomorrow AM.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 29, 2022

Zion’s return would significantly boost their performance in their own end, as he is capable of posting big block and steal numbers.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

Los Angeles meanwhile, is tied for the shortest price in the NBA Championship odds, despite not looking like much of a contender this season. The Clippers have dropped three straight, and their lone two wins are versus Sacramento and the Lakers who have one win between them.

LA has played shorthanded a bunch this season, which partly explains their record, but they’ll be operating at less than full strength again on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard will miss fourth game of the season, and has suited up only twice.

Kawhi Leonard is OUT for tomorrow’s game vs. the Pelicans with right knee injury management. It's his 3rd consecutive missed game.

Robert Covington is DOUBTFUL with an illness.

Moussa Diabate, Jason Preston, and Brandon Boston are on G-League assignment.

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 30, 2022

The two-time Finals MVP is still working his way back from a torn ACL that cost him the bulk of the 2021 playoffs and all of last season. Robert Covington is doubtful due to an illness, but the team is expected to get Marcus Morris back after he sat out the last two games due to personal reasons.

The Clippers are fresh off back-to-back losses to Oklahoma City, and have been abysmal on offense. They rank 29th in offensive rating so far, and 26th in three-point efficiency.

Their defense is what’s been keeping them in games, as only five teams allow fewer points per game. They rank third in opponent field goal percentage, and are fourth best at defending the three-point line.

Pelicans vs Clippers Prediction

Given their defensive prowess and offensive struggles, it’s not surprising that four of LA’s first five games have stayed under the total.

Without Kawhi, they just don’t have enough scoring. Paul George is an excellent player, but after 12+ years of data, it seems clear he’s not a bonafide number one option.

"Kawhi Leonard is the PRO [at missing games]. He is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP and this brother is also a champion at missing games. Nobody does it better!"

😳 @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/lz8fzrwRE6

— First Take (@FirstTake) October 26, 2022

Also working in favor of the under in this matchup is the pace at which both teams play at. LA is right around league average, while the Pelicans are 18th.

If Zion returns, I’ll take New Orleans outright on the moneyline. His return would also bolster the Pelicans defense making the under even more appealing than it already is.

Picks: Under 224.5 (-110), New Orleans Pelicans Moneyline (+118) – if Williamson plays