The New Orleans Pelicans close out a disastrous home stand Monday night, hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and trying to end a nine-game losing streak. The Pelicans have a firm hold on last place in the Western Conference, and now face a Clippers team that’s won two in a row and four of its previous five games.
After yet another loss, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, the team has been searching for answers on both ends of the floor. Head coach Willie Green emphasized the importance of urgency and defensive focus. “We need to tighten up defensively and play with more urgency,” he said. “Our focus has to be on executing our game plan and competing at a higher level.”
Despite the team’s struggles, forward Trey Murphy III has started to emerge as a legitimate go-to threat. The third-year wing has stepped up over the past five games, averaging 26.2 points per outing while shooting an efficient 45.2% from three-point range. Murphy, who hadn’t been the first option since high school, has made the adjustment to defenses locking in on him. However, he’s still focused on the team’s play as a whole. “It’s been a tough stretch, but we’re staying together as a team. We believe in each other and know we can turn this around,” Murphy said after Saturday’s loss.
The Clippers, meanwhile, come into this matchup showing flashes of their potential. Over their last ten games, they’ve gone 6-4, averaging 111.2 points per game while holding opponents to 108.9 points. Their efficiency on both ends is reflected in their +2.3 net rating during this span. LA takes good shots on offense, providing the perfect complement to their disciplined defense, which has frustrated teams across the league.
The Pelicans will have their hands full trying to contain the Clippers’ balanced attack. Los Angeles knows how to grind out wins. Their defensive rating of 107.1 is among the better marks in the league, and they’ll look to take advantage of New Orleans’ turnover-prone tendencies and defensive lapses.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, to have any chance against the Clippers, they’ll need to lock in defensively and look for consistent offensive production beyond Murphy. Dejounte Murray will have to take care of the basketball, and Yves Missi and Daniel Theis need to have big nights on the boards.
As the Clippers roll into town with confidence, the Pelicans must dig deep to halt their slide and salvage some pride in front of the home crowd. It’s going to be another uphill battle for Willie Green’s squad against a disciplined and balanced Clippers team.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Los Angeles Clippers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Kris Dunn | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – James Harden | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – Norman Powell | F – Herb Jones |
| F – Derrick Jones Jr. | F – Trey Murphy |
| C – Ivica Zubac | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard (knee), Terance Mann (finger), and P.J. Tucker (not with team) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (low back disc protrusion), and Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (5–27) vs Los Angeles Clippers (18-13)
Season Series:
- Dec. 30: Pelicans vs Clippers
- Mar. 11: Pelicans vs Clippers
- Apr. 2: Pelicans @ Clippers
Series History: The Pelicans are 43-32 all-time against the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans has won six of the last seven against Los Angeles, including two in a row over the Clippers.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Dec. 30, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, Pelicans+
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.
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