Los Angeles welcomes Paul back to the lineup
The Clippers finally have the whole band back together from injuries. Does that spell certain doom for a fatigued Charlotte club this evening?
In the last game on the weekend schedule, the two squads will tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives Los Angeles odds of -650 to emerge victorious. Conversely, Steve Clifford’s troops enter the Staples Center as +425 underdogs.
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After missing 14 contests due to a torn thumb ligament, Chris Paul returned to his familiar role as the Clips’ floor general on Friday. Despite collecting 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 33 minutes, though, he couldn’t find a way to slow down the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard & Co. went into California and came out with a 105-97 win. The loss dropped Los Angeles’ record to 6-9 since Jan. 19.
Charlotte, meanwhile, is preparing for its third tilt in four nights. A Herculean effort by Frank Kaminsky helped ensure a 99-85 triumph over Sacramento roughly 20 hours ago. The Wisconsin product registered his third double-double of the season, continuing a banner month.
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Here, however, we’re skeptical of the Hornets’ ability to keep pace with Doc Rivers’ gang. The Clippers simply ascend to another level with Paul at the controls. Unless Kemba Walker breaks out of his post-All-Star break stupor, count on a blowout.
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