In the paint tonight, the Pelicans will have no answer for Ivica Zubac, who is having a career year.
When the Los Angeles Clippers come to Smoothie King Center tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans will try to end a nine-game losing streak.
Ivica Zubac should dominate a favorable matchup in the paint, according to my Clippers vs. Pelicans predictions.
See my NBA picks for December 30 to find out why.
Prediction for the Clippers versus. Pelicans
My top pick is Ivica Zubac. More than 27.5 rebounds and points (-120 at bet365)
My evaluation
Like Chewy was with Han Solo, “Zubacca” has emerged as the preferred wingman for James Harden and Norm Powell this season.
This year is a career year for the big man for the Los Angeles Clippers. His personal bests of 15.2 points and 12.6 rebounds on average put him just beyond this threshold at 27.8 points + rebounds.
Ivica Zubac has averaged 25.5 PR at home and 30.7 PR on the road, so home-road splits should be taken into account for this one. Out of 31 games, he has hit the Over in 19 of them, including 11 of 14 away from Intuit Dome.
Zubac has been particularly successful in his last seven. He has hit the Over six times during that period, averaging 17.7 points and 14 rebounds. He has settled into a groove and is well-positioned to contribute tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelis have given up the second-highest number of points in the paint and the fourth-highest number of rebounds. Yves Missi is a dubious big man to start, and if he sits, New Orleans’ frontcourt depth is quite poor behind him.
Missi is a rookie, thus even if he plays, the veteran Zubac ought to prevail in that game. The Pels have given up an NBA-high 17.2 rebounds and 23.8 points to opposition centers. For Zubacca, this is an easy over, and I don’t feel uneasy about it.
