NBA: Greg Frank picks Clippers vs Pelicans with Paul George making his season debut

2-0 Wednesday night, 24-17-1 overall.

Clippers (-4) @ Pelicans (233.5)

Pick: Pelicans +4

It will be another rest night for Kawhi Leonard tonight as the Clippers play the second leg of a back-to-end on Thursday in The Big Easy. But that’s not the only reason we’re backing the home dog in tonight’s contest between the Clippers and Pelicans. Paul George makes his Clippers debut on Thursday and we view that as more of a negative than a positive as far as tonight’s game. That might sound crazy, but now the role players for the Clippers have to readjust to playing through a different star player. Granted, Paul George brings a similar skillset to the table as Leonard does, but our guess is that things like chemistry and timing will be a little off for the Clippers as they begin to integrate George. Meanwhile, New Orleans comes in having covered in two straight games including a 122-116 loss against the Rockets on Monday. With a couple days off and having just played a western conference contender down to the wire, our money is on the young Pelicans here playing with confidence at home and keeping this game within one possession, and maybe winning it outright.

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