2 min read • April 15, 2022
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Check out this matchup's Court View here.
The third annual NBA Play-In tournament is almost over with the Nets and Timberwolves locking up the #7 seeds. Teams seeded #7 through #10 qualify for the tournament and the outcome will determine the final two teams to make the playoffs in the conference. Meeting in the final matchup to lock up the Western Conference #8 seed is the Southwest division New Orleans Pelicans meeting the Pacific division Los Angeles Clippers.
Pelicans SIC Health Score - 85.3
The Pelicans played fantastic in the first play-in game eliminating Dejounte Murray and the Spurs 113-103. Star forward Brandon Ingram (FD $8,200) looked good after dealing with a hamstring issue for the past few weeks posting 27 points on 11/19 shooting.
Due to the level of play Ingram showed, the Pelicans SIC score has risen two points from the Spurs matchup and if he continues to show he is no longer dealing with the hamstring, the score will continue to increase. With George now out, the sharpshooter will have a less than stellar defender manning him meaning there is a potential for Ingram to rain buckets on a depleted Clippers defense.
The Bayou Birds has played without Duke alum Zion Williamson for the entire of season and have received decent production in his place of late. Hothead Jaxson Hayes (FD $4,000) is averaging 10.7 points in his last 6 games, scoring double digit points in 4 of them.
Clippers SIC Health Score - 67.2
The huge news going into the win or go home matchup for the Clippers is the absence of George who has been placed into COVID-19 protocols. After missing a huge chunk of the season due to a torn UCL he was able to return just to be knocked out by a positive test morning of the game.
The Clippers fortunately have scoring guard Norman Powell (FD $5,900) back to fill-in and may be leaned on heavily on the offensive end due to the lack of scoring threats on the roster. The guard recently return from a foot fracture and is playing well, averaging 20.5 points in his last 6 games.
The teams leading three point shooter Luke Kennard (FD $3.800) is listed as questionable as he deals with a hamstring ailment. Kennard was unable to suit up against the Timberwolves last game and could miss his second straight matchup. The Clippers did shoot well from distance without him canning a total of 16 threes on 46% shooting.
Injury-based Plays
Pelicans -1 - The Clippers lack serious star power without Leonard and now George, expect vets like C.J. McCollum to stick the dagger in early
Norm Powell O21.5 - The only player besides Reggie Jackson that can get to the rack with ease, Clippers will need everything the former Raptor can muster offensively
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