Clippers vs Pelicans prediction NBA · Sunday, February 14
At a glance
The New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) host the LA Clippers (1-3) on Sunday, February 14 at 2:00 PM ET at Smoothie King Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Clippers a 51% chance to win and projects a 114-113 score (Clippers – Pelicans), about 227 total points. This season, the Pelicans are 0-2 at home and the Clippers are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 0-4 for the Pelicans and 1-3 for the Clippers (current streaks: Pelicans L4, Clippers L3). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 31% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers), Max Strus (Clippers), Brandon Ingram (Clippers), Bradley Beal (Clippers), Jordan Miller (Clippers) and Dejounte Murray (Pelicans)…. Prediction confidence: low.
The analysis Model
A wide-open game: the model barely separates the two teams. The model projects Pelicans 113 – 114 Clippers, a margin of about 0.4 points in favor of the Clippers and a total around 227 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray or Jordan Poole (and 1 other). The Clippers will be without Yanic Konan Niederhauser or Max Strus (and 3 others). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-4.1 vs +0.4 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Pelicans need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Pelicans' offense (115.7 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Clippers' defense allows clearly fewer points (111.5 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
LACNO
Players to watch
Clippers
Darius GarlandG · #1021.5pts / gameDarius GarlandG · #106.5assists
Rui HachimuraF · #286.0reboundsPelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsRecent form
LAC
122-110W
121-96L
125-117L
108-101L103-87NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L141-135 OTL104-91Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
NO
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
⚠ The two models disagree: handle this game with caution.
Team comparison
| LAC | NO | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Record | 0-4 |
| 112.0 | Points scored / game | 115.7 |
| 111.5 | Points allowed / game | 120.5 |
| +0.4 | Adjusted margin / game | -4.1 |
| L3 | Current streak | L4 |
| 1-3 | Last 10 games | 0-4 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 0-2 home |
| 42-40 (+1.1) | Last season | 26-56 (-4.5) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Clippers
Injury report Pelicans
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.