NBA Picks: Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks

Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks
Sunday, 2/10/13, 1:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: New York -3
Current Betting Line: New York -3.5
Opening Total: 194.5
Current Total: 192.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The New York Knicks are 17-7 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons

Los Angeles has dropped four of its last five games, including a 111-89 blowout loss to the Miami Heat as 3.5-point road underdogs Friday night, while going OVER the total for the third time in four contests. “The Clippers have been great,” commented Knicks coach Mike Woodson. “They’ve had their struggles as of late because they’ve had injuries.” That’s certainly been the case, especially with star point guard Chris Paul, who has missed 12 games this year. Los Angeles is 1-5 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread Sunday.

The Clippers are 15-12 overall when playing away from the Staples Center, including a 5-6 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Los Angeles is 2-4 on its current Grammy road trip, while it has compiled a dreadful 31-64 mark in this situation dating back to 2000. After reaching 100 points or more 24 times in the first 35 games, the squad has hit or gone over the century mark just four times in its last 17 contests.

New York is playing some of its best basketball of the 2012-13 campaign, as it has captured six wins in its last seven games, including a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves as six-point road favorites last time out. “It was one of those games we didn’t want to look back on saying we should have won this game,” stated Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Dating back to his days with the Nuggets, Anthony’s teams have won 10 straight at home against the Clippers. New York is 17-7 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Knicks are 19-6 at Madison Square Garden this season, including an 8-2 mark versus Western Conference foes, which makes them worthy of a long look on the pro basketball odds page. New York’s 30-15 record is its best start after 45 games since the 1996-97 season. Defensively, the squad wants to limit opponents to under 100 points, as it has compiled a 25-5 record when accomplishing that task.