Pro Basketball Picks: Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs

Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, 11/10/10, 9:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: San Antonio -14
Current Betting Line: San Antonio -13.5
Opening Total: 192.5
Current Total: 195

The San Antonio Spurs are a perfect 4-0 in November and being led by the offense of Manu Ginobili

Los Angeles played without the services of point guard Baron Davis in the first meeting this season against the Spurs and now will likely be missing two starters tonight. The Clippers are unsure if guard Eric Gordon (shoulder) or center Chris Kaman (ankle) will be in the lineup tonight, as they look to snap a 17-game losing streak to San Antonio. “I feel like if I’m 70 percent, even not playing to the best of my abilities, I can help the team,” said Davis after returning against New Orleans. He played just 10 minutes in that contest, turning the ball over twice and committing two fouls. Since the 2001 season, Davis and Spurs point guard Tony Parker have squared off 18 times, with Parker owning a 15-3 advantage. The team is 4-12 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 to 15 points and the NBA lines page has them right there.

The Clippers have actually lost 24 of their last 26 games against the Spurs dating back to December 1, 2003, and are 4-43 versus them since the 1997-98 season. Rookie forward Blake Griffin has made many believe that Los Angeles will eventually compete with a Western Conference power like tonight’s opponent, ranking second in the league with 34 offensive rebounds. He is also the leading rebounder among rookies (10.4) and the second-leading scorer at 17.1 points per game. One thing that must get cleaned up is the squad’s propensity to turn the ball over, committing 48 miscues the last two games, including a season-high 25 against the Hornets in a 101-82 road defeat.

San Antonio may be a perfect 4-0 this month and has won 15 straight at home against tonight’s opponent, nobody is going to take the night off. “We can’t give up games,” said Parker. “We have to do the same things we’ve been doing and don’t give them up.” The Spurs have dominated the Clippers defensively, holding them to 86.0 points over the last 49 meetings. The team allowed just two more points than that average in a 97-88 road win over tonight’s opponent on November 1 at the Staples Center. San Antonio is 65-61 ATS as a favorite the last three years and 12-25 ATS after three or more consecutive wins.

The Spurs are getting great play out of guard Manu Ginobili early on this season after scoring a game-high 26 points in Charlotte on Monday. He has scored 22 or more points in four of six games and has scored at least 14 points in all six of the team’s games. “Manu creates,” said head coach Gregg Popovich. “Everybody’s got somebody on their team they give the ball to and let them create.” San Antonio has also received the usual steady inside production from perennial All-Star Tim Duncan, who scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 95-91 road win over the Bobcats.