The Los Angeles Clippers (15-19) square off against the Charlotte Hornets (13-22) at Staples Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports Carolina.
Los Angeles opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 213 points.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Prediction
In the Hornets’ last game, they topped the Golden State Warriors, 111-100. The Hornets had a superb free throw rate of 0.258 (above their season average of 0.237), while the Warriors had a turnover percentage of 15.5 (above the 12.1 mark opponents have averaged against Charlotte this season). With 29 points on 10-for-15 shooting, Dwight Howard was the game’s leading scorer.
The Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game, 121-106. The Clippers knocked down 28 of their 34 free throws (82.4 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.5 (above their season average of 23.7). With 12 points and 16 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan played well for Los Angeles.
The aggressive Charlotte offense might be getting to the free throw line a lot in this showdown. The Hornets rank second in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.238, while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in FTA rate allowed (0.213).
Charlotte heads into the contest with records of 13-22 straight up (SU) and 13-18-4 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Hornets have finished under the total 54.3 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 15-19 SU and 18-15-1 ATS. In opposition of Charlotte, a little over half of Clippers games have finished over the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Howard recorded 16 points and 16 rebounds in the first game, in which the Hornets defeated the Clippers 102-87, covering as 5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 189 points, which was 24 points below the projected point total of 213 points. The Hornets had a much better turnover percentage (7.4 vs. 13.3) and had a much better free throw rate (0.264 vs. 0.157).
Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Clippers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Charlotte is 4-8-3 ATS on the road with 7 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
At home, Los Angeles is 8-7 ATS with 8 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Charlotte is 6-2 and Los Angeles is 9-2.
When reaching 100 points, the Clippers are 13-12 and the Hornets are 13-9.
Charlotte ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Los Angeles ranks 21st (8.1).
The Hornets rank ninth in fast break points allowed per game (10.3) while the Clippers rank 28th (13.9).
Charlotte averages 46.7 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 20th in rebounds allowed per game (43.6).
The Clippers rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while the Hornets rank 25th (24.9).
Charlotte ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (9.5) while Los Angeles ranks 17th (12.5).
The Hornets rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while the Clippers rank 15th (16.6).
Los Angeles averages 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
The Clippers rank ninth in points in the paint per game (46.6) while the Hornets rank 14th in points allowed in the paint per game (43.1).
Los Angeles is 26th in the NBA with 20.7 assists per game while Charlotte is 27th with 20.5 assists per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Charlotte is 1-2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Los Angeles is 4-0-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Hornets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 1.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 118.2 points per game (12.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.8 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
