The LA Clippers host the New Orleans Pelicans at 1:00 pm AEDT on Mon 9 Nov in a game that shapes up as a straight shootout. The Pelicans arrive with a healthier-looking attack on paper; they average 120.2 points per game across nine outings while the Clippers have struggled offensively at 109.1 across eight. If you like pace and points, this one is scheduled to satisfy.
I’ll be blunt: the value sits with New Orleans. They’re the cleaner offensive outfit (and their netRtg is positive), while LA’s marginPerGame sits deep in the red. For those hunting nba tips, this card gives a straightforward lean — back the Pelicans and expect an above-board total.
Who will win?
We’ll back the New Orleans Pelicans to take this one. The Pelicans are 4-5 for the season with a +1.44 marginPerGame and a netRtg of 1.4, while the Clippers are 1-7 with a -6.5 marginPerGame and a netRtg of -6.5. Those are season-wide signals: New Orleans scores at 120.2 points per game and concedes 118.8, whereas LA scores 109.1 and concedes 115.6.
Offensive firepower matters here. New Orleans’ leading scorers — Zion Williamson (20.6), Saddiq Bey (16.4) and Dejounte Murray (16.3) — are delivering the bulk of the points, and their offence outpaces LA’s declining returns. The Clippers’ defensive rating is poor (defRtg 114.6) and their offence hasn’t covered it.
Market context: the head-to-head board prices New Orleans as the favourite (away price 1.8, LA Clippers 2). I’m siding with that favourite because season metrics align — Pelicans control pace slightly (pace 101.7 vs Clippers 99.6) and possess the superior scoring profile. It’s a confident, evidence-led lean rather than a contrarian punt.
Tipped at $1.80 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.
Head-to-head context
Season and last-five scoring — context for the match-winner market.
Leading scorers
Season points per game.
LA Clippers
| Player | Pts |
|---|---|
| Darius GarlandPG | 20.4 |
| Rui HachimuraPF | 14.4 |
| Brook LopezC | 13.6 |
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Pts |
|---|---|
| Zion WilliamsonPF | 21.7 |
| Trey Murphy IIISF | 15.6 |
| Saddiq BeySF | 15.4 |
Line — can the Pelicans cover -1.5?
The official line is Pelicans -1.5 (home line shown as LA Clippers +1.5) with prices favouring the away side. This is a razor-thin spread, but the underlying season margins point to New Orleans as the better team: Pelicans marginPerGame +1.44 versus Clippers -6.5.
Averages matter for small spreads. New Orleans’ offence (120.2) is operating well above LA’s defensive concession rate (115.6), and the Clippers’ offensive profile (109.1) struggles to threaten a positive net. If New Orleans bring their scoring rhythm, -1.5 looks coverable — but it’s still a one-possession game, so the risk is real.
Tipped at $1.95 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.
Line context
Season average margin, set against this match's line. The marker is the margin that covers.
Total points — why Over 219.5 tempts
The total is 219.5 points. Both teams’ season numbers lean towards a higher-scoring affair: New Orleans score 120.2ppg and the Clippers concede 115.6ppg; conversely LA score 109.1ppg and the Pelicans concede 118.8ppg. Those offensive/defensive splits suggest this matchup is predisposed to points.
Given the Pelicans’ above-average scoring and the Clippers’ defensive frailties, I prefer the Over here. The market is already pricing Over aggressively (over price 1.32, under 3.25) — that compresses value, but the raw team numbers make a strong case that 219.5 is beatable.
Tipped at $1.32 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.
Total points
Hit rate vs 216.5
Season points per game. Marker is the live total of 216.5.
Combined pace 100.2 possessions per game.
Same Game Multi (popular combos)
Same Game Multis are on the board for this matchup and there are a few nailed-on Pelicans-heavy combos. Examples priced in the pack include: "Pelicans win by 11+, Over 229.5 points & D. Murray to get 16+ points" at price 8.5, and "Pelicans win by 11+, Over 229.5 points & Z. Williamson to get 6+ rebounds" at price 9.5.
If you like layered bets, those combos are exactly what the market is offering — they triple down on New Orleans breaking this game open and turning it into a shootout.
Risks
Small spreads can flip quickly; -1.5 is within one possession and late-game dynamics or rotations could erase any edge.
The Clippers still have elite-level talent on paper and can flip the tempo; their FG3% (0.382) shows they can light it up from deep on any night. Upsets are part of the NBA — size up in-game matchups when tip-off arrives.