San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
The San Antonio Spurs have been in a major slump, as they’ve lost seven of their last eight games overall. They will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the Trail Blazers in a 120-109 road defeat on Sunday. Stephon Castle led the team with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Devin Vassell added 21 points while Harrison Barnes and Malaki Branham each scored 17 points. As a team, the Spurs shot 43 percent from the field and 11 of 34 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the urgency of the Trail Blazers from the tip-off. They were always playing from behind, after scoring just 18 points in the first quarter to trail by 17 points. Keldon Johnson had a night to forget as he shot just one of 11 from the field to finish with just two points off the bench.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been on fire as they’ve won 14 of their last 17 games overall. They will be eager to build on their current four-game win streak after blowing past the Mavericks in a 135-104 home win on Saturday. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden led the team with 29 points each while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 25 points on 11 of 11 shooting, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Clippers shot a healthy 56 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Mavericks in the first quarter to take an early double-digit lead. Before they exploded for 74 points in the second half to make it a complete blowout win in the end.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Spurs have lost each of their last nine games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Clippers.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games as home favorites when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Clippers.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
- The Clippers have lost five of their last six Tuesday games as favorites.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in each of their last 10 road games against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 11 games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (41.9).
- The Clippers rank 2nd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (9.9).
- The Spurs rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.0).
- The Spurs have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons – equal-second-longest active streak in the NBA
Clippers vs Spurs Prediction
The Spurs are still missing Jeremy Sochan and De’Aaron Fox, while the Clippers have ruled out Amir Coffey, and they have Kawhi Leonard listed as questionable at the moment. These teams have already met three times this season, with the Clippers leading the series by 2-1, and it’s hard to picture anything but another easy win for the Clippers. The Spurs have gone cold lately, with nothing to play for anymore this season. The line is a bit higher than I’d like, but I still think the Clippers get the big win and cover at home behind a big game from Harden.