Clippers (17-7), Pelicans (7-17)
LOS ANGELES – Playing short-handed isn’t exactly a new experience for New Orleans, but Saturday’s visit to Staples Center featured DNPs by the Pelicans’ top three scorers and a total of six players who could be described as potentially important contributors. The formidable opposition was the Clippers, one of the NBA’s best four or five teams. Despite those daunting circumstances, New Orleans was competitive for a half, trailing 61-55 at halftime, but Los Angeles took over in the third quarter en route to a commanding victory. Pelicans All-Star forward Anthony Davis was rested with his team starting a back-to-back and in the midst of four games in six nights, while the Clippers were without fellow perennial All-Star forward Blake Griffin (right knee soreness).