The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Louisiana to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at the Smoothie King Center in a Western Conference matchup that could turn into an entertaining offensive contest. Both teams enter the game with different levels of momentum but share a similar goal of finishing the season strongly.
The Clippers have been competitive recently despite roster changes earlier in the season. Los Angeles briefly climbed above the .500 mark before dropping their last two games. The team’s offense has improved since adding point guard Darius Garland, who has quickly become a key scorer and playmaker for the lineup.
New Orleans, meanwhile, has quietly been playing better basketball in recent weeks. Even though the Pelicans have one of the lower records in the conference, they have won several games lately and appear more confident offensively. The team has scored more than 120 points in multiple recent games and continues to rely on aggressive inside scoring combined with fast-paced transition offense.
These teams already met earlier this month, when the Clippers dominated with a convincing 137-117 victory. However, this matchup could be different with New Orleans playing at home and entering the game with improved form.
With both teams capable of producing high scoring performances, Wednesday’s game could become a fast-paced battle where offensive efficiency and rebounding will likely determine the outcome.
Match Information
| Match | Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| TV Broadcast | FDSN SC, GCSEN |
Team Records
| Team | Record | Conference Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | 34–34 | Competing for play-in spots |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 23–46 | Near bottom of West |
Los Angeles is still fighting for postseason positioning, while New Orleans is trying to finish the season on a positive note.
Clippers vs Pelicans Preview
The Clippers have built their recent strategy around quicker offensive play and improved perimeter shooting. The addition of Garland has helped speed up their offense and create more scoring opportunities for the team’s wings and forwards.
Los Angeles also relies heavily on veteran experience. Players like Kawhi Leonard and John Collins provide scoring and rebounding when healthy, while the team’s depth allows them to adjust their approach depending on matchups.
New Orleans plays a much more aggressive inside-focused game. The Pelicans generate a large portion of their offense near the basket and through transition plays. Their ability to attack the paint has allowed them to score efficiently despite inconsistent perimeter shooting.
The Pelicans have also improved on the boards recently, which has helped them stay competitive even when their defense struggles. However, their defensive issues remain a concern, especially against teams that move the ball well and create open perimeter shots.
Recent Form
Los Angeles Clippers Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 17 | Spurs | L |
| Mar 15 | Kings | L |
| Mar 14 | Bulls | W |
| Mar 12 | Timberwolves | W |
| Mar 10 | Knicks | W |
The Clippers had a three-game winning streak before losing their last two contests.
New Orleans Pelicans Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 17 | Mavericks | W |
| Mar 14 | Rockets | L |
| Mar 12 | Raptors | W |
| Mar 9 | Wizards | W |
| Mar 7 | Suns | L |
New Orleans has won three of its last five games and appears to be improving offensively.
Also see: Jazz vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Last Games, Injury Report
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Recent Meetings | Clippers lead |
| Latest Match | Clippers won 137-117 |
| Last 6 Meetings | Clippers lead 4-2 |
Los Angeles has had the advantage in recent matchups between the two teams.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Clippers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Bradley Beal | Out |
| Bennedict Mathurin | Out |
| Yanic Koran Niederhauser | Out |
| Kawhi Leonard | Questionable |
| Darius Garland | Questionable |
The Clippers’ lineup could depend heavily on whether Leonard and Garland are available.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Trey Alexander | Out |
| Hunter Dickinson | Out |
| Bryce McGowens | Out |
| Josh Oduro | Out |
| Dejounte Murray | Questionable |
New Orleans may also be waiting on the availability of Murray before finalizing its rotation.
Probable Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Darius Garland |
| SG | Kris Dunn |
| SF | Derrick Jones Jr. |
| PF | John Collins |
| C | Brook Lopez |
New Orleans Pelicans
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Herbert Jones |
| SG | Trey Murphy |
| SF | Saddiq Bey |
| PF | Zion Williamson |
| C | Yves Missi |
Key Players to Watch
Los Angeles Clippers
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Darius Garland | Primary scorer and playmaker |
| Kawhi Leonard | Two-way leader when healthy |
| John Collins | Interior scoring and rebounding |
Garland has recently taken on a larger offensive role and could lead the scoring again.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | Interior scoring leader |
| Trey Murphy | Perimeter shooting |
| Herbert Jones | Defensive specialist |
Williamson’s presence in the paint could be a major factor for the Pelicans.
Also see: Raptors vs. Bulls Prediction: Last Games, Injury Report
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Clippers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | Balanced offense | High scoring recently |
| Defense | Inconsistent | Struggling |
| Three-Point Shooting | Strong | Below average |
| Rebounding | Average | Improving |
Both teams rely heavily on offensive production but have struggled defensively.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Clippers +2.5 |
| Spread | Pelicans -2.5 |
| Moneyline | Clippers +110 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans -130 |
| Total | 233.5 |
Oddsmakers expect a competitive matchup with New Orleans slightly favored at home.
Best Player Prop Pick
| Player | Prop Bet |
|---|---|
| Darius Garland | Over 20.5 Points |
Garland has recently produced several strong scoring performances and continues to play a larger offensive role for the Clippers.
Best Picks for the Game
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans -2.5 |
| Total | Over 227.5 |
| Player Prop | Garland Over 20.5 Points |
Both teams have shown the ability to score quickly, which could lead to a high-scoring contest.
Predicted Score
| Team | Predicted Score |
|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | 118 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 115 |
Final Prediction
This matchup brings together two teams that rely heavily on offense but have struggled with defensive consistency throughout the season. The Clippers have shown flashes of strong play recently but have also been dealing with injuries and lineup uncertainty.
New Orleans enters the game with slightly better recent momentum and the advantage of playing at home. The Pelicans have been scoring efficiently in recent games and could benefit from their strong interior presence led by Zion Williamson.
If the Pelicans control the rebounding battle and maintain their aggressive attacking style, they should be able to keep pressure on the Clippers’ defense. While Los Angeles has the experience and shooting ability to stay competitive, New Orleans’ recent form and home-court advantage could help them secure a close victory.
