NBA Best Bet - Sunday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- NBA
- Competition
- New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Clippers
- Release Date
- 03/01/2026 10:03 AM
- Event Date
- 03/01/2026 09:10 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Los Angeles Clippers -8.5 (-110)
(BetMGM)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- The Clippers have a great opportunity to cover the spread (expected to be around -8.5) vs the Pelicans this Sunday for several reasons tied to matchup and scheduling. LA hosts this game at Intuit Dome while New Orleans plays the second night of a back-to-back coming from Utah. Historically speaking, those are the types of games where legs get tired late and mistakes pile up on defense. Adding to the concern for the Pelicans is that Zion Williamson exited Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and will likely be sidelined here as well. Trey Murphy III has also been banged up recently with a shoulder injury and his availability could be up in the air on game day. Both players are two of New Orleans’ best creators and there won’t be much behind them if either are sidelined.
As for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard should be activated from the injury report and gives LA a legitimate half-court closer who can create his own shot efficiently when games slow down to a possession game. Los Angeles has been nursing injuries and in 2024 have lost a couple of games outright after being installed as road favorites. However, on a purely defensive basis the Clippers should still be able to contain the Pelicans. The matchup/efficiency splits grade the Clippers as a top 10 defense by points allowed and an above average rebounding team. Offensively, New Orleans hasn’t profiled as great at generating offense from shooting or driving compared to league averages this season.
The cover script is fairly simple. Los Angeles pressures in the half court, outworks opponents on the glass, and uses Kawhi Leonard to ice the game if the Pelicans threaten to make a comeback. On a back-to-back, even being at full strength it’s tough for teams to score with consistency over 48 minutes. If New Orleans is without Zion and possibly Trey Murphy III it could spell disaster late and turn what would be a close game into a Clippers win by 10–14 points.
Jim's Play: 520. Clippers