A six-game home winning streak hangs in the balance for the Los Angeles Clippers (8-5), who will be 5-point favorites when they welcome the San Antonio Spurs (7-6) to Staples Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219.5 points and action begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 15, 2018.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds
The last time the Clippers were in action, they defeated the Golden State Warriors, 121-116, despite being 4-point underdogs. The Spurs, meanwhile, were dismantled by the Phoenix Suns, 116-96, and were not able to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Los Angeles game finished 11.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5, while the San Antonio game went 8 points under the projected point total of 220.
The Clippers made 30 of their 34 free throws (88.2 percent), while the Warriors had a turnover percentage of 14.0 (above the 10.1 mark opponents have averaged against Los Angeles this season). San Antonio, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (19-24; 79.2 percent). Montrezl Harrell led the way for Los Angeles, finishing with 23 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, San Antonio was lifted by DeMar DeRozan, who finished with 24 points and five rebounds.
The Spurs took this series last year, emerging victorious in two out of three games. In the last game, Los Angeles won 113-110. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ largest strengths. They had 43 free throw attempts, while San Antonio had 28. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Spurs games, with an even split between overs and unders. San Antonio holds records of 7-6 straight up (SU) and 6-6 against the spread (ATS).
Clippers games have finished over the O/U total 53.8 percent of the time. Additionally, Los Angeles is 8-5 SU and 8-5 ATS.
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, while Harrell has put up 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game during that span.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Los Angeles figures to have a noteworthy edge. The Clippers defense ranks first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.486), while the San Antonio offense is ranked 26th in effective field goal percentage (0.498). The Spurs should have an edge in terms of ball protection. 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 Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
