With the Pelicans beating the Spurs, a second-round playoff matchup is out, with the Pelicans playing against the Clippers, with the two teams vying for the last spot in the West. This game is still very difficult for the Clippers, although the outside world is more optimistic that the Clippers can enter the playoffs, but the Pelicans' strength this season should not be underestimated, they beat the Spurs in the first game of the playoffs, showing a strong overall strength. And the Clippers have won fewer games against the Pelicans this season, and the team lost 3 of the 4 games against the Pelicans, which was not ideal.
In the first meeting, the Pelicans had not yet traded CJ, and the Clippers' George could play, that game, Ingram had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, Varan contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds, and the Pelicans won the Clippers by 13 points. The two teams met for the second time this season, with the Pelicans winning the Clippers by 19 points, while Varan made a big splash in that game, shooting 7 three-pointers on the perimeter for 15-of-24 shooting and a luxurious stat of 39 points and 15 rebounds, while Ingram also had 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
In the third meeting between the two teams, the Pelicans laughed again to the end, the team won the Clippers by 24 points, Ingram contributed 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, and Varan had 18 points and 16 rebounds. The last time the two teams met was at home with the Clippers, a game in which the Clippers scored in double figures with seven players, beating the Pelicans at home to avoid being swept by the Pelicans this season.
Judging from the record of the confrontation, although the last meeting between the two teams was the Clippers to win, but overall, the Pelicans have an advantage, they have three offensive strengths, Ingram, Varan and CJ, these three players are very strong in personal ability, and can complete the score, when they play efficiently on the court, the Clippers are difficult to resist their performance.
In this play-off game between the Clippers and pelicans, the Clippers are at a disadvantage on the inside, no player on the team can resist Varan's play, Zubac's defense is very hard, but Varan's back singles and good outside shooting can help him complete the score, when facing the Clippers, Varan has a good performance in the game, and the individual play is very good. And Ingram and CJ, both players can attack on their own, but also can connect the whole team, if the Clippers can't limit the performance of these three players against the Pelicans, then the Clippers want to enter the playoffs will be very difficult.
The Pelicans' Varan is the key player in this play-off, and if he can play a dominant performance on the court, it will be difficult for Terrenlou to make adjustments, because the team's current roster does not have a player who can match Varan, no matter who faces Varan. If the Pelicans can get Varan to finish more offense in the playoffs against the Clippers, then the Pelicans are very promising to enter the playoffs. And Ingram also has a promising career to enter the playoffs for the first time this season, he has played in the league for 6 years, this season is his closest to the playoffs, whether the Pelicans can seize the opportunity to win the playoffs with the Clippers, which is worth looking forward to.