Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT)
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
TV: FanDuel Sports Network SoCal / KTLA (Clippers) | Gulf Coast Sports / Pelicans+ (Pelicans)
Radio: New Orleans Pelicans Radio Network / Clippers Audio Network / SiriusXM NBA Radio / NBA League Pass
Game Context
Both Western Conference teams are battling for positioning in a crowded middle-to-bottom pack. The Clippers sit 10th and remain in the play-in hunt after a mid-season roster overhaul (trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, adding Darius Garland—who is still sidelined—and Bennedict Mathurin). The Pelicans are 13th and mathematically alive but realistically focused on development and momentum heading into the final stretch. A Clippers win keeps them firmly in the 9-10 mix; a Pelicans victory (their 5th straight) would be a massive confidence booster on the road.
Recent Form
New Orleans Pelicans (4-1 in last 5, 4-game win streak):
- W 115-105 at Utah (Feb 28) — Zion Williamson left early with ankle tweak but team pulled away
- W 129-118 at Utah (Feb 26) — Saddiq Bey dropped 42
- W 113-109 vs. Golden State (Feb 24)
- W 126-111 vs. Philadelphia (Feb 21)
- L 118-139 vs. Milwaukee (Feb 20)
New Orleans is averaging 117.6 PPG on efficient shooting during the streak, with elite defensive stretches and strong rebounding. They’ve won three straight on the road and are playing with house money while shorthanded.
Los Angeles Clippers (2-3 in last 5, 3-game losing streak):
- L 88-94 vs. Minnesota (Feb 26) — short-handed
- L 109-111 vs. Orlando (Feb 22)
- L 122-125 vs. Lakers (Feb 20)
- W vs. ? (Feb 19)
- W at Houston (Feb 11)
The Clippers have dropped their last three for the first time since December, with injuries piling up. Offense has been inconsistent (averaging under 110 in the skid), but Kawhi Leonard’s return could flip the script.
Injury Report
New Orleans Pelicans
- Zion Williamson (F) — Day-to-Day (right ankle tweak; left Feb 28 game in Q2; “hopefully nothing serious” per coach)
- Trey Murphy III (F) — Day-to-Day/GTD (shoulder; out since All-Star break)
- Dejounte Murray (G) — Day-to-Day (reconditioning; recent return from Achilles surgery)
Pelicans are thin up front and in the backcourt but have thrived with Saddiq Bey, Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Fears stepping up.
Los Angeles Clippers
- Kawhi Leonard (F) — Available (ankle/illness; cleared and expected to play heavy minutes; season avg. ~28 PPG)
- John Collins (F) — Questionable (neck/head)
- Darius Garland (G) — Out (left toe; yet to debut with Clippers after trade)
- Bradley Beal (G) — Out for Season (left hip fracture/surgery)
Clippers depth has been tested, but Leonard’s return plus Mathurin’s recent 20.7 PPG spark provide firepower.
Key Player Matchups
- Wings/Forwards: Saddiq Bey / Yves Missi vs. Kawhi Leonard / John Collins (if active) / Bennedict Mathurin — Bey is scorching (21+ PPG recently, 42 vs. Utah); Leonard’s two-way dominance could neutralize, but Pelicans’ length and energy test LA’s frontcourt.
- Guard Play: Dejounte Murray (if active) / Jeremiah Fears vs. Kris Dunn / other Clippers guards — Murray’s playmaking and steals spark the Pels’ recent surge; Clippers lean on Dunn’s energy in Garland’s absence.
- Interior: Pelicans bigs (Missi, Jordan) vs. Clippers frontcourt — Pelicans have dominated glass in recent wins; Clippers must protect the rim without full strength.
- Bench/Depth — Clippers have more proven pieces when healthy, but Pelicans’ hot streak and urgency give them an edge in energy.
Series History
- 2025-26 season: Clippers won the lone prior meeting 126-124 on Oct 31 in Los Angeles.
- All-time regular season: Pelicans lead 44-35.
- Recent trend: Pelicans are 10-5 in last 15 meetings, 6-0 ATS in last 6 vs. Clippers, and 5-0 ATS in last 5 road games against LA. Pelicans have covered as big underdogs repeatedly.
Betting Trends
- Pelicans 4-1 ATS in last 5, 7-3 ATS last 10 road games, 5-0 ATS last 5 road vs. Clippers.
- Clippers 12-4 ATS last 16 home games but just 2-3 SU in last 5 overall and 1-4 ATS in recent home losses.
- Total OVER in 4 of Pelicans’ last 6; Clippers games trending lower during skid.
- Pelicans 4-1 SU last 5; Clippers 2-3 SU last 5 and lost 3 straight.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 225.5
Los Angeles Clippers – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
