The Clippers don’t have to travel far to take on the Lakers Friday. Jeff Alexander says that the Clippers will cover the spread at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Oddmakers from online sportsbook Bodog opened the line at Lakers –15, but the line has since dropped to Lakers –14.5.
Alexander writes: The Clippers are getting a few too many points on their home floor tonight against the Lakers. The Lakers’ interior defense has hardly been tested at all during its run, but Chris Kaman will test it tonight. The Lakers are 3-12 ATS in March games over the last 2 seasons and 8-18 ATS in home games after allowing 100 points or more 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. The Lakers are also 8-20 ATS in home games vs. good free throw shooting teams – making >=76% of their attempts over the last 2 seasons. The Clippers are going to make this a halfcourt basketball game and they are not going to settle for jump shots. The Lakers will prevail in the end, but the Clippers will keep this one well within the number.
Public betting information currently shows that of the 1,046 wagers placed on tonight’s game, 73% of bettors like the Lakers –14.5. Accuscore agrees with the public and has the Lakers as an 84% favorite.
Some trends to consider for tonight’s game:
-LA CLIPPERS are 62-78 ATS (-23.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
-LA CLIPPERS are 33-51 ATS (-23.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
-LA CLIPPERS are 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
-LA LAKERS are 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games this season.
-LA LAKERS are 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
-LA LAKERS are 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record – 2nd half of the season this season.
-LA LAKERS is 6-4 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
-LA LAKERS is 6-4 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
-6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Odds Provided by Bodog – Bet NBA Basketball Games at Bodog
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