The Los Angeles Clippers have reeled off seven straight home wins, cashing with a 6-1 spread record in that span. Vinny Del Negro’s squad plays its fourth game in five days with Friday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have seen the ‘under’ collect at 8-1 in their last nine contests.
Sports betting shops were slow to post their NBA odds due to Clippers guard Chris Paul (18 PPG) being listed as “questionable” with a hamstring injury. Paul has missed three straight
games, while Beasley has been out of action since Jan. 6.
Clippers edge out Mavs
Los Angeles finished a double back-to-back spot with Thursday’s
91-89 victory as a 3.5 point home dog against the Dallas Mavericks. Clippers
guard Chauncey Billups drained a late three-point bucket with the game’s final
shot to give his squad the win, answering a ‘triple’ from Dallas’ Jason Terry
just four seconds earlier.
Billups finished with 21 points and three assists, while mate
Blake Griffin logged a seventh straight double-double with 14 points and a
season-high 17 rebounds. Clippers veteran Mo Williams piled in a
team-high 26 points off the bench, hitting 11-of-15 from the field.
The tight affair’s combined 180 points ducked below the closing
‘total’ of 182, giving a cashed
ticket to my ‘under’ followers in Thursday’s piece. Los Angeles
struggled from the foul line, sinking 9-of-17 free throws, while starting guard
Randy Foye logged four steals in the absence of Paul from the lineup.
Timberwolves rally to top Pistons
Minnesota trailed by as many as 16 points in Wednesday’s 93-85 win
as a nine-point home favorite against the Detroit Pistons. The
Timberwolves outscored Detroit, 29-14, in the fourth quarter, pulling off the
victory despite being held to 40 percent field shooting.
Timberwolves forward Kevin Love notched team-highs of 20 points
and 17 rebounds, continuing his streak of a double-double in all 14 of his
squad’s games. Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio logged eight assists and six
steals, while sinking 7-of-8 free throws en route to finishing with nine
points.
The contest’s combined 178 points dipped ‘under’ the ‘total’ of
186. Minnesota allowed Detroit to connect at 44.3 percent from the field,
including a sizable 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Back the ‘under’ again at Staples
Friday’s tip is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ET), with ESPN providing
the national television coverage.
I am adding the ‘under’ to my NBA picks tonight,
looking for another low-octane affair at Staples Center. The Clippers
have held foes to 89.4 PPG in their last seven games with their home jerseys
donned, while the ‘under’ is 5-1 in Minnesota’s last six visits to Staples
Center.
Minnesota’s defense has also held its own, giving up just 88 PPG
in its five road spots. The Timberwolves have held foes to 39.9 percent
field shooting in that span, while Love and Rubio are ranked in the league’s
top five for rebounds (14.5 RPG) and steals (2.3 SPG).
The ‘under’ is 5-1 in Minnesota’s last six games against Western
Conference rivals, while going 4-1 in the Clippers’ last five home games. Look for another tight battle here with ‘under’ backers continuing to cash
tickets.
My Pick: Back the Under
Be sure to check back closer to gametime, as we will post the live NBA betting odds as soon as they are released.