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Game 44: Pelicans look to improve awful road record, seize tie-breaker from Clippers

In the third and final matchup, the Pelican seek to win a decisive second contest that would guarantee the tie-breaking advantage over their Western Conference counterpart

By prestonellis
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans face off with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight for the third and final time this season. At one game a piece, tonight’s matchup could have tie-breaking ramifications should the two lock horns in the Western Conference playoff standings at season’s end.

Expect points in this one, and lots of them. The two teams combined for 215 and 255 points in their previous contests this season, and the Clippers have struggled of late defensively leading to 11 losses in their previous 19 tries.

Good news for the Pelicans, they have no injuries to report, and Nikola Mirotic will play tonight without restriction!

A healthy roster? Have you heard of such a thing?!

The Clippers are 14-7 at home, and the Pelicans a dreadful 5-17 on the road.

This is game two of the Pelicans’ five-game road-trip all against teams eyeing playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Pelicans play visitor to Warriors, Blazers and Grizzlies later this week.

Can the Pelicans right the ship after the bummer in Minnesota?

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Los Angeles New Orleans
Pace: 100.7 (9th) Pace: 102.0 (6th)
ORtg: 113.4 (7th) ORtg: 114.7 (3rd)
DRtg: 112.3 (23rd) DRtg: 112.5 (25th)
Projected Starters:
Los Angeles New Orleans
PG - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PG - Elfrid Payton
SG - Avery Bradley SG - Jrue Holiday
SF - Tobias Harris F - E'Twaun Moore
F - Danilo Gallinari PF - Julius Randle
C - Marcin Gortat C - Anthony Davis

Injuries: Pelicans - none (isn’t that nice?), Clippers - Luc Mbah a Moute (out)

To read more on the matchup, check out Preston’s in-depth preview here.

To look behind the scenes of the enemy, read our friends’ words at Clips Nation here.

Where To Watch

What: New Orleans Pelicans (20-23) at Los Angeles Clippers (24-18)

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

When: Monday, January 14, 2018, 9:30 p.m. Central

How: FSNO, FSN, 99.5 FM WRNO

Join the conversation below, and let’s geaux, Pels!

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