Clippers' turnovers meet a Pelicans defense that takes the ball

The New Orleans Pelicans (4-5) visit the LA Clippers (1-7) on Sunday night in a game that turns on turnovers: Los Angeles gives it away more than any team, and New Orleans forces them.

The Clippers turn it over on 17% of their possessions, last in the NBA. New Orleans forces turnovers on 14% of opponents' trips, eighth in the league, and plays at the sixth-fastest pace, so every loose pass feeds a team that runs.

New Orleans also scores near the rim. It ranks sixth in true shooting at 58.9% and fourth in getting to the free-throw line, and no team takes a smaller share of its shots from deep.

Los Angeles allows an effective field goal percentage of 55.6, 25th in the league, and has little to stop a team that attacks inside.

Zion Williamson drives that attack. He averages 20.6 points on 59.3% shooting and leads New Orleans with 2.4 steals a game. Dejounte Murray runs the offense with 5.3 assists.

Darius Garland is the Clippers' engine and their exposure. He leads them with 20.9 points and 6.6 assists but gives up 5.5 turnovers a game, the matchup New Orleans' defense wants. Kris Dunn answers at the other end with 2.8 steals a game.

Los Angeles is thin. Brandon Ingram, who plays 33.8 minutes a game, is out, as are Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller, Isaiah Jackson and Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Ingram, Jackson and Konan Niederhauser are expected back Tuesday, November 10. Beal's return is set for Sunday, November 29, and Miller's for Tuesday, March 2.

New Orleans is without center Yves Missi, who is expected back Monday, November 9. He averaged 7.5 rebounds and two blocks in his two games. Jaron Pierre Jr. and Malik Dia are also out.

The Clippers' latest loss was 117-116 at home to Miami. New Orleans comes off a 115-109 home loss to Minnesota and earlier won 135-134 at Memphis.

Tip-off is at 9 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Sportsbooks' prices give New Orleans a 52% chance to win, and Keel's projection, built from the players available, has the Pelicans at 52% and 0.3 points better.