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Clippers vs. Pelicans Game Preview
Since the 2019-20 season, the Clippers are 5-10 against the Pelicans, and the Clippers have not won in New Orleans since January of 2020—almost four years. Tonight, the Clippers hope to turn that trend around.
Game Information
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: 5:00 PM PT
How to Watch & Listen: Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Terance Mann – Ivica Zubac
Pelicans: CJ McCollum – Herb Jones – Brandon Ingram – Zion Williamson – Jonas Valančiūnas
Injuries
Clippers: None
Suns: Matt Ryan, Out (elbow); Trey Murphy III, Out (knee); Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Day-to-Day (non-COVID illness)
The Big Picture
The Clippers extended their winning streak to four in Phoenix, which started this three game road trip. Importantly, both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard scored over 30 points, Harden had over 20, and Terance Mann seems to be creeping back to form. When the Clippers get that level of production from their starting unit, they can afford to have long scoring droughts, even against teams like the Suns (although they ought not tempt fate, even though they got away with it in Arizona).
When the Pelicans beat the Clippers in late November, the Clippers had just made their starting lineup change and were still figuring out their rotation (PJ Tucker, as you might remember, played 22 minutes in that game). This Clippers team understands itself at a much higher level, which should give them a better chance.
The Antagonist
Although the Clippers may have improved, the Pelicans are still pretty good. They are 21-14 on the season and 12-7 at home (the Clippers are just 7-8 on the road). Moreover, the Pelicans just beat the Timberwolves—the best team in the Western Conference—by 11 points on the road. Zion had 27 points on 11/15 shooting, and Ingram added 19 (7/11 from the field). Both of those players have historically been tough covers for the Clippers, and the addition of Coffey into the rotation is not the answer, even though he has been pretty good since his role was elevated.
Notes
Standings Watch: The Clippers are currently 21-12 to the Pelicans’ 21-14. Therefore, the game will be important for the Clippers’ campaign to maintain the 4th seed and try to catch the 24-11 Nuggets. Moreover, the Clippers need this game to ensure that they have a chance to win the season tie-breaker over the Pelicans, which has a good chance of being important this season. Finally, the Clippers got some help from the rest of the league with the Thunder and Lakers losing, so it would be disappointing to not take advantage of it on Friday.
Zion Ideas: With PJ Tucker out of the rotation, it will be interesting to see what Ty Lue does with Zion. Will we see Plumlee for the first time in a while? Will we see Plumlee AND Theis together (perhaps when Zion and Valančiūnas play together)? Let us know in the comments what you would do.