New Orleans Pelicans Face The NBA's Red-Hot Los Angeles Clippers On National Broadcast
The New Orleans Pelicans (29-21) travel West to battle the Los Angeles Clippers (34-15) Wednesday night at the Crypto.com Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers are on fire, winning nine out of their last ten games, and will face off against New Orleans in a nationally broadcasted game on ESPN.
Since Jan 1, the Clippers have lost just three games, the fewest losses in the league during that stretch. The teams have split the first two meetings this season, with each winning on the other's home floor.
Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram hopes to carry over some of his red-hot shooting from Monday night in this matchup. Ingram scored a season-high 41 points in three quarters with a dazzling display of outside shooting. During a stretch during the third quarter, B.I. made five straight three-pointers on five consecutive possessions.
According to Elias Sports, that's the longest streak by any player since at least the 1997-1998 season. Ingram didn't fare as well the last time these two teams met.
Jan 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The swarming Clippers defense held B.I. to 12 points on 3/9 shooting. Los Angeles held the Pelicans to 95 points that night, their third-lowest output of the year. The Pels' issues with beating good teams have manifested itself recently. New Orleans is 5-5 over their last ten games.
All five wins have come against teams with below .500 records. All five losses were against teams with winning records. For the Pelicans to legitimately contend in the West, winning a game against the Clippers could boost their confidence.
There is no lack of confidence in the Clippers abilities, especially on the offensive end. They rank near the top in a few key offensive categories, such as points per game (No. 6), field goal percentage (No. 5), and three-point percentage (No. 1).
L.A. has three elite-level scorers in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden. The trio combine for 64.3 points per night, shooting over 40% from beyond the arc.
New Orleans hopes to have its trio of stars available for the big matchup Wednesday night. Forward Zion Williamson is listed on the injury report with a foot injury. His questionable designation has been on the report for a week, but Williamson has played the last two games.
Zion averages 20.3 points and five rebounds in his career vs the Clippers. Williamson scored 32 points the last time these teams played back in November. New Orleans has won its previous three games in Los Angeles over the Clippers.
Wednesday's game starts a four-game road trip for the Pelicans. They stay in Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Sunday before traveling to Portland and Memphis to round out the road trip before returning home before the All-Star break.
