Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers
Friday, 1/4/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles Clippers -4.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles Clippers -4.5
Opening Total: 207
Current Total: 205.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
The Los Angeles Lakers have alternated wins and losses over their last four games, as they attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 103-99 setback to the Philadelphia 76ers as nine-point home favorites on New Year’s Day. “It’s frustrating,” commented Lakers guard Steve Nash. “We’re in a tough position and we really have a lot of ground to make up.” He has averaged 12.2 points and 9.6 assists in five games since returning from an early-season injury. Los Angeles is 1-5 ATS as an underdog this season, with the OVER going 5-1 in that situation.
The Lakers are always dangerous in this series when making your NBA picks against the spread, as shooting guard Kobe Bryant has averaged 34.8 points on 54.6 percent shooting in his last five games against the Clippers. He leads the NBA in scoring 30.3 points per game, as the franchise tries to gain revenge from a 105-95 setback to the Clippers as 1.5-point home underdogs on Nov. 2. The team is 6-4 in its last 10 games as a visitor at the Staples Center.
The Los Angeles Clippers have dropped back-to-back games since winning a franchise-record 17 consecutive contests, which includes a disappointing 115-94 defeat to the Golden State Warriors as 1.5-point road favorites Wednesday. “We just kind of hit a little bit of a wall,” stated Clippers forward Blake Griffin. He scored just 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting, but is one of two players in the league averaging 17.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals. The team is 15-3 at home this season, including a 10-2 mark at home, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page.
Since the 2009-10 season, the designated home team has had an advantage in this series, posting a 9-3 record, including a 4-2 mark when the Clippers land in that particular situation. Los Angeles really needs Griffin to come alive offensively, as he’s been limited to 12 points or less in three straight games for the first time in his career. The bench has been a major strength for the squad the entire season, ranking second in the NBA in averaging 41.7 points per game.
Sports bettors will likely play the total in this affair, as the UNDER is 7-1 in the Clippers last eight home games when the total is between 205 and 209.5
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