The Los Angeles Clippers (8-5) welcome the San Antonio Spurs (7-6) to Staples Center as they try to extend their six-game home winning streak. The game is scheduled to get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 15, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 219.5 points with Los Angeles set as a 5-point favorite.
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers Free Prediction
The last time the Spurs played, they were 2.5-point favorites and were defeated by the Phoenix Suns, 116-96. The total points for the game (212) came in under the projected point total of 220. Phoenix’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over San Antonio. The Suns had a rate of 0.649 (above their season average of 0.507), while the Spurs posted a mark of 0.464 (below the 0.545 mark opponents have averaged against Phoenix this season). DeMar DeRozan led San Antonio in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
The Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors in their last matchup, 121-116, despite being 4-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (237) were over the O/U total of 225.5. Los Angeles made good use of their 34 trips to the charity stripe, making 30 of them (88.2 percent). Golden State, meanwhile, was just 16-23 (69.6 percent). With 23 points and eight rebounds, Los Angeles’ Montrezl Harrell had a solid game.
Los Angeles could dominate on defense as they face off against one of the league’s worst offenses. The Clippers currently rank first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.486), while San Antonio is 26th in effective field goal percentage (0.498). The Spurs should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 2nd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.5 percent), while the Clippers force the second-fewest turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 11.5 percent).
San Antonio heads into the contest with records of 7-6 straight up (SU) and 6-6 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for Spurs games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 8-5 SU and 8-5 ATS. Just over half of Clippers games have finished over the total.
Lou Williams and Harrell have played at a high level over the last five games for Los Angeles. Williams has averaged 21.2 points and 5.6 assists per game. Not to be outdone, Harrell has put up 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game during that span.
After the Spurs won two out of three meetings against the Clippers last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, Los Angeles won 113-110. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ biggest strengths. They had 43 free throw attempts, while San Antonio had 28.
Spurs vs. Clippers Free Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
San Antonio is 2-3 ATS on the road with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Los Angeles is 6-1 ATS at home with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Los Angeles is 2-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while San Antonio is 3-1.
The Clippers are 8-4 when they reach 100 points, while the Spurs are 6-2.
Los Angeles ranks sixth in points in the paint per game (53.5) while San Antonio ranks 29th (39.7).
The Spurs rank seventh in blocks allowed per game (4.8) while the Clippers rank 26th (6.6).
Los Angeles ranks 19th in fast break points per game (11.7) while San Antonio ranks 29th (8.1).
The Clippers average 46.8 rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Spurs rank 17th in rebounds allowed per game (45.6).
Los Angeles ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (28.4) while San Antonio ranks 12th (30.3).
The Spurs rank 15th in second chance points per game (12.9) while the Clippers rank 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (15.1).
San Antonio ranks 21st in points off turnovers per game (15.9) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (14.6).
The Spurs rank 24th in steals per game (6.5) while the Clippers rank 27th (5.8).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 0.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 118.8 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (0.4 above their season average).
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