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Clippers vs. Pelicans prediction: New Orleans favored to win Wednesday's NBA matchup [3/18/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Los Angeles Clippers vs New Orleans Pelicans predictions for NBA Wednesday.
The New Orleans Pelicans will square off with the Los Angeles Clippers in NBA action at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations and today’s injury reports, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Pelicans as the most likely winner of the Clippers vs. Pelicans game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Pelicans lineup will feature stars like Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey, while the Clippers will rely on Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland and Jordan Miller.
This article offers further insights into Wednesday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Clippers vs. Pelicans prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Wednesday's NBA matchup between the Clippers and Pelicans 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Pelicans a 57% chance of defeating the Clippers. Our predicted final score has the Pelicans winning 118-116.
According to our model, the Pelicans (-1.5) have a 51% chance of covering the spread, while the 236.5-point over/under has a 53% chance of staying under.
Clippers vs. Pelicans odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Clippers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +1.5 (-110) | -1.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | +100 | -116 |
| Total | o236.5 (-110) | u236.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Clippers vs. Pelicans picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans -1.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | -116 |
| Total | Under 236.5 | -110 |
According to our best NBA bets for Wednesday, the top play to make on this game is Pelicans to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Clippers vs. Pelicans player props
NBA prop bets are a popular way to wager on Wednesday's LA Clippers vs. New Orleans matchup without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Smoothie King Center.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to lead the Clippers with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Trey Murphy is projected to have 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the Pelicans.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Clippers prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Clippers are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | 30 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| Darius Garland | 21 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 41 |
| Jordan Miller | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 27 |
| John Collins | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
| Derrick Jones | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 24 |
Pelicans prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Pelicans:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Murphy | 23 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 41 |
| Zion Williamson | 21 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 38 |
| Saddiq Bey | 18 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 32 |
| Dejounte Murray | 18 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 41 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
Clippers vs. Pelicans game-day updates and essential details
Wednesday's action between the Pelicans and Clippers at Smoothie King Center is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Los Angeles Clippers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Smoothie King Center
Conclusion
We predict the Pelicans, with a 57% win probability, will likely beat the Clippers on Wednesday, with Kawhi Leonard projected for a game-high 50 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Clippers vs. Pelicans insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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