The Los Angeles Clippers will clash against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night inside the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. They will jump it up at 8:00 p.m. Both teams have been playing well this season and look like serious players coming out of the Western Conference. Bookmaker has installed the Pelicans as solid 6.5-point favorites in this game. 

The Clippers have started to put it together and look like a serious contender coming out of the Western Conference. They have many veteran players, depth, and a focus that has been lacking in years past. But they will ultimately be judged by how far they go after playoff time. 

They are in first place in the Pacific Division, and the Sacramento Kings are chasing them, and they are within striking distance. 

On offense, the Clippers have a ton of talent and are led by small forward Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is averaging around 23.7 points per game and has shown he is not shy about taking the last shot. He has shown throughout his career that he is a big-game player, and this season, he has had some monumental moments with the Clippers.

He led Toronto to a title years back and believes he can carry this current collection of Clippers' players back to the finals. This team knows the Western Conference is stacked, and they will be tested. 

Veteran forward Paul George is another player who has turned back the clock. He averages 22 points per contest, five rebounds, and under five assists per night. Look for the Clippers to spread the ball around in this one. 

The Pelicans hold a very slim lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the Southeast Division. They enter this one, having won five of six overall. They come in hot, and they would love to snag a win against a talented squad like the Clippers. 

New Orleans is a team that could make some noise, but they need to work on being more consistent and play harder on both ends of the floor. They have had some mental and defensive breakdowns this season but have won five of seven overall. 

They are led on offense by Zion Williamson, who has been overall healthy this season and has been a dominant force for the Pelicans when he is on the court. He is averaging close to 22 points per game to go along with just under six rebounds per contest. 

Small forward Brandon Ingram has contributed a ton this season, and he is netting 21 a game for the Pelicans while also dishing out 5.8 assists per contest. If they can get the ball in the paint and work it into Williamson, they can dominate the lane and win this game. 

The Pelicans are 4-1 in their last five games and 3-1 in their previous five games against the spread. They are a solid 19-14 in their road games against the spread, too. The totals have gone over in one out of their last five games. The Clippers are 2-3 in their previous five games and 1-4 in their last five games against the spread. They are also 16-16 in their road games against the number. The totals have gone over in three out of their last five games.