Pelicans at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are rolling along without injured All-Star forward Blake Griffin and can extend their season-high winning streak to nine when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Clippers held Charlotte to 36.9 percent from the field in a 97-83 victory Saturday and may not have to face New Orleans’ leading scorer Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles is playing solid team basketball as rehab continues for Griffin (quad), who missed the last seven games and is expected back later this month. “We’re moving the ball and putting a huge emphasis on defense,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul told reporters. “The only way we can really score without the big fella is we defend and get out in transition.” Davis is suffering from a lower back injury that limited him to three minutes in the 91-86 loss to Indiana on Friday, and is considered day-to-day. Davis is averaging team highs of 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Pelicans, who have lost four of their last five as they start a three-game Western trip.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (11-24): New Orleans has plenty of players who can put the ball in the basket, but it has struggled on the defensive end too much and sits near the bottom in points allowed per game (105.7). Ryan Anderson is averaging 16.7 points and Tyreke Evans (15.9) poured in 27 on Friday to match his season high while dishing out 7.1 assists per contest. Guard Eric Gordon, who averages 15.3 points, has connected on just 36 percent of his shots from the field over the past five games.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-13): Los Angeles has yielded 91 points or fewer in four games during its streak and took over in the second half Saturday while holding the Hornets to 37 points in 24 minutes. Paul poured in 25 points to go along with seven assists and the playmaker has scored at least 20 seven times in the past 12 contests. J.J. Redick has drained 24-of-39 from 3-point range the past seven games and center DeAndre Jordan has reached double figures in rebounds 11 straight contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won the last three meetings, including a 111-90 triumph at home in late November.
2. New Orleans G Norris Cole is 2-for-15 from the field the last two games after averaging 16 points in his previous three outings.
3. Los Angeles G Jamal Crawford is averaging almost 15 points in the last six games off the bench while making 33-of-68 from the field.