Mike Brown’s club plays the second night of a back-to-back spot in
Saturday’s first meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are 3-2 ATS in
their five games since the start of January. This has to be the biggest game of all today's NBA picks.
Sportsbooks opening Vinny Del Negro’s squad as a 2.5-point
favorite on the spread. NBA Odds makers first set the ‘total’ at 187.5, with early
‘under’ wagers dropping the number to 187 at most shops.
Lakers hold off Cavs at home
The Lakers notched their fifth straight win in Friday’s 97-92
triumph as an 11-point home favorite against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant notched 42 points in 41 minutes of play, breaking the
40-point barrier for a third straight game.
Bryant’s mates Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol both logged a
double-double, uniting for 34 points and 21 rebounds. Lakers veteran
Derek Fisher added a team-high 10 assists, while held to a 0-for-2 shooting
night from the floor.
The battle’s combined 189 points leaped above the closing ‘total’
of 188.5 by a ‘hook,’ ending a 3-0 ‘under’ streak in the Lakers’ prior three
games. Bryant and Co. held Cleveland to 37.6 percent field shooting,
while being outrebounded, 44-36.
Clippers edge out Heat in OT
The Clippers picked up their fourth straight home win in
Wednesday’s 95-89 overtime victory as a three-point underdog against the Miami
Heat. A tight fourth quarter sent the battle into extra minutes,
with Clippers center DeAndre Jordan piling in a jumper and slam dunk to seal
his squad’s triumph.
Clippers guard Chris Paul notched team-highs of 27 points, 11
assists, and three steals. Paul’s mate Blake Griffin logged his fifth
double-double in six games, finishing with 20 points and 12 boards.
The contest’s combined 184 points dipped below the ‘total’ of 203,
making the ‘under’ 3-2 in the Clippers’ last five games. Paul and Co.
were helped by Miami’s 20-of-34 night at the foul line, while both clubs united
to drain 11-of-33 beyond the arc.
Back the ‘under’ at Staples Center
Saturday’s matchup is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ET), with NBA TV
providing the national television coverage.
In today's NBA picks, this handicapper is backing the ‘under,’ expecting a tight affair
between these rivals. Both squads have had this matchup circled since the
start of the season, with a playoff-like atmosphere anticipated here.
The Lakers have allowed 89.9 PPG, while holding foes to a
third-best 41.3 percent field shooting. Bynum (13.6 RPG) and Gasol (9.7
RPG) are among the league’s top rebounders, while Bynum has added 10 blocks
over his last three games.
The Clippers defense showed improvement in Wednesday’s win,
holding the fire power of the Heat to 39.5 percent field shooting.
Griffin (10.8 RPG) and Jordan (3.4 BPG) have been among the league’s top
rebounders and shot blockers, respectively, making the duo formidable in matching
up with the Lakers’ weapons.
The ‘under’ has cashed at 4-1 in the Lakers’ five spots played on no rest, with
Del Negro’s crew held to 92.8 PPG in those contests. ‘Under’
backers have gone 4-0 in the Lakers’ last four games that followed a contest with
its five starters combining for more than 160 minutes of action the previous
day.
The Lakers and Clippers have seen the ‘under’ collect at 9-2 in their last 11
meetings, with the Clippers wearing their home jerseys. Look for the
‘under’ to cash again here, with even more attention on this showdown thanks to
the Clippers' revamped lineup.