NEW ORLEANS – Tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Los Angeles Clippers with the chance to wrap up the season series between the two. New Orleans has won two out of three this season against the Clippers in what could be an eventual playoff matchup. As it stands now, the Pelicans and Clippers would face off in the five-four matchup. What can we learn from this final regular season battle?
The Pelicans’ defense has stifled the Clippers in their regular season wins, especially their stars. James Harden is playing at an all-NBA level this season, averaging 17.5 points on an elite 64.7% true shooting percentage. In the Pelicans games, those drop to 11.7 points on 55.9% true shooting.
Against Harden, the Pelicans pressure the ball heavily and force him away from the paint. Though Harden is still shooting nearly 39% from three against New Orleans, the lack of paint touches tanks his overall efficiency. As always, ball pressure from Herb Jones stifles Harden’s offensive flow. The Pelicans force Harden away from the middle and send aggressive help when he does reach the paint, forcing him into tougher, less efficient jumpers.
Harden has averaged a staggering 9.3 assists against the Pelicans, though. When sending heavy help, the Pelicans must close out hard and rotate sharply. Even more so than Harden, the Pelicans have limited Kawhi Leonard, shutting off LA’s engine. In the three Pelicans games, Leonard averages 18 points per game on 55.1% true shooting, well below his season averages.
Against, Leonard, the strategy doesn’t alter much. Heavy help, doubles and disruption let the Pelicans limit LA’s scoring engine. Take this clip below for an example:
Just like the Harden example, CJ McCollum switched onto Leonard, forcing him away from the middle of the floor. Brandon Ingram shades hard one pass away to crowd Kawhi’s handle, forcing an early pickup. Because the Pelicans threw off the rhythm of Leonard’s drive, Valanciunas cleaned up with the easy block.
This aggressive, early-help style of defense can limit some of LA’s offensive threats but is taxing to execute. The Pelicans have been vulnerable to attacks off of live ball rotations against the Clippers – Norman Powell, for example, has maintained elite efficiency and scoring volume attacking gaps in the defense.
The Pelicans are facing the Clippers in New Orleans with LA playing on the second night of a road back-to-back. New Orleans should be able to defend aggressively and force turnovers while pushing the pace on offense. A mid-March victory could help set the Pelicans up for success in a future playoff series.
Analysis by Ben Pfeifer
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Los Angeles Clippers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Bones Hyland | G – CJ McCollum |
| G – Paul George | G – Herb Jones |
| F – Terance Mann | F – Brandon Ingram |
| F – Kawhi Leonard | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – Ivica Zubac | C – Jonas Valanciunas |
Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels (left knee meniscectomy) is OUT.
Los Angeles Clippers: Russell Westbrook (left hand surgery) is OUT.
Who: Los Angeles Clippers (42-23) at New Orleans Pelicans (39-26)
Season Series
- Nov. 24: Pelicans def. Clippers, 116-106 (In-Season Tournament)
- Jan. 5: Clippers def. Pelicans, 111-95
- Feb. 7: Pelicans def. Clippers, 117-106
- Mar. 15: Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Mar. 15, 7:00 PM CDT
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
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READ MORE
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- Do the Pelicans Possess Enough Playmakers?
- Foul Trouble: Why Doesn’t Zion Get the Star Treatment From NBA Refs?
- Pelicans Head To Big Apple Seeking To Snap 2-Game Skid
- Points at a Premium as Pelicans Offense Finds Its Way
- How Can the Pelicans Get the Most Out of Zion & BI When They Don’t Share the Floor?
- The Future of the Pelicans May Hinge on Whether Zion & B.I. Can Make the Leap to Elite Duo
- Will Missing Dyson Daniels Damage the Pelicans’ Playoff Push?
- Pelicans Begin Critical 4-Game Home Stand Against Woeful Wizards
- Pelicans Can Move 10 Games Above .500 For First Time Since 2018 With Win Over Lakers
