Known previously as the “other” team in each of the nation’s two largest markets, the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers (stylized as ‘LA Clippers’) have made major personnel moves between this year and last in order to burst into contention. And they are there; in fact, they are among the favorites to capture the NBA title.
The Clippers are 22-9 straight-up and 18-13 against the number, and are tied with the Lakers for second place in the West, 2.5 games behind Utah. The Nets are 19-12 SU (15-16 ATS) and are a game and a half back of Philadelphia in the Eastern conference standings.
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The Nets are missing one of their superstars for Sunday night’s game at the Staples Center. Will that be a real difference-maker?
We’ve got answers for you, and a path to cash at America’s Bookie.
Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Clippers Picks
Tip-off: 8 PM ET (Sunday)
NBA Betting Odds: Clippers -5.5, Total 238.5
The Clippers fell short last season, and in disappointing fashion. They were seemingly gearing up for the big run in the bubble, and they blew a series lead against Denver, which cost Doc Rivers his job.
So what will make this season different? Honestly, we’re not sure yet. They don’t seem to have as much bench with the free agent departure of Montrezl Harrell (to the Lakers). But they looked, on paper, like a team that might be even better on defense, with Serge Ibaka added to a list of stoppers that included Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley.
Yet their numbers aren’t imposing. Under Tyronn Lue, the Clippers are just 15th in the league in Defensive Rating, and they had a heck of a time with Donovan Mitchell the other night, even in the course of a win over Utah.
The Nets will not have Kevin Durant available as he continues to work out some hamstring issues. But the offense has been in good hands with James Harden, who leads the league in assists. And Kyrie Irving is still capable of explosions as well.
A lot of people wondered where the production from the bench was going to come from. But Brooklyn is getting some of that from the likes of former Clipper Landry Shamet and Timothe Luawau-Caborret, who nailed five triples in the 109-98 win over the Anthony Davis-less Lakers two nights ago.
And the guy who is threatening to make it a “Big Four” in Brooklyn is Joe Harris, always one of the better shooters in the league, who had six treys against the Lakers, is averaging 15 points a game, and leads the NBA in three-point marksmanship at 50.7%.
It’s a good thing that the Nets are finding more guys who can score, because defensively they are not quite there, and may not get there at all, frankly. As for the Clippers, they do not lack for firepower, with Leonard and George averaging almost 51 points a game between them.
There is, in fact, an argument to be made that these are the two most capable offensive teams in the NBA. Consider these numbers:
Points Per Game: Nets 1st (121.3), Clippers 5th (115.5)
Field Goal Percentage: Nets 1st (50.2%), Clippers 3rd (48.5%)
Three-Point Percentage: Clippers 1st (41.9%), Nets 2nd (40.9%)
Free Throw Percentage: Clippers 1st (84.4%), Nets 6th (81.7%)
The previous meeting ended with a 124-120 Nets win in Brooklyn. They’ve played 22 overs in 31 games. The Clippers have gone “over” 62% of the time, including a 7-2-2 run in their last eleven contests.
It’s a lofty number to chase, but at least we know we have two teams perfectly capable of combining to top it.
The Play: OVER 238.5
