Pelicans Head to Intuit Dome with Win Streak on the Line Against Clippers
The New Orleans pelicans will try to extend a four-game winning streak to five tonight when they visit the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Sunday, March 1, a matchup complicated by multiple injuries to New Orleans' roster.
Pelicans missing key pieces; Saddiq Bey pressed into a lead role
New Orleans is likely to be without Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray for the March 1 game, leaving Saddiq Bey to shoulder playmaking and rebounding duties for the Pelicans. Bey averaged a combined 10 assists and rebounds per game in February and posted over 8. 5 combined rebounds and assists in four of his last six outings, prompting a betting line that lists Bey Over 8. 5 rebounds + assists at +110 for tonight.
Clippers lean on Kawhi as brutal March stretch begins
The Clippers enter the matchup amid a demanding March schedule slated for 18 games, including four sets of back-to-backs, and will have Kawhi Leonard available for the Intuit Dome game. Leonard has recorded two straight 30-plus point games and returned to the active list after missing a recent game with an ankle issue; his presence is notable as the Clippers try to arrest a three-game skid.
Matchups and minutes to watch at the Intuit Dome
The game figures to hinge on how Bey distributes the ball on the second night of a back-to-back for New Orleans and how Los Angeles defends a Pelicans team that has won four straight. The Pelicans traveled to LA after defeating Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, and Williamson is listed as unlikely after a sprained ankle the night before that game. With Trey Murphy sidelined since the All-Star break with a shoulder contusion, New Orleans will be thin on wing depth.
Los Angeles has added scoring depth this season, with Bennedict Mathurin averaging 21. 3 points per game over his first five contests since joining the Clippers last month, and Brook Lopez hitting over 9. 5 points in three of his last five games. The Clippers have also been strong against the spread recently, going 6-1 ATS in their last seven games, a trend they hope to extend in front of their home crowd at the Intuit Dome.
Leonard’s minutes have been managed since the All-Star break, and he has not played more than 33 minutes in any game since returning; the team has intentionally limited his workload as it heads into the dense March slate. How the Clippers handle Leonard’s minutes tonight will be one of the key tactical questions for head coach Ty Lue and the LA staff.
