The San Antonio Spurs (20-10) look to prolong their nine-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (11-17) at AT&T Center. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southwest at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017.
San Antonio opened as an 11.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 203 points.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Prediction
The Clippers are trying to rebound after their 90-85 loss to the Miami Heat in their last contest. Miami’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Los Angeles. The Heat had a rate of 0.195 (above their season average of 0.173), while the Clippers posted a mark of 0.087 (below their season average of 0.215). Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan had a solid game, contributing 12 points and 20 rebounds.
The last time the Spurs played, they barely escaped the Dallas Mavericks, 98-96. The Spurs held the Mavericks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.1 (below their season average of 17.8). The Mavericks had a free throw rate of 0.100 (below their season average of 0.172). LaMarcus Aldridge was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, San Antonio figures to have a considerable advantage. The Spurs defense ranks eighth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.511), while the Los Angeles offense is ranked 19th in effective field goal percentage (0.509).
Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 11-17 straight up (SU) and 14-14 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Clippers’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, San Antonio owns records of 20-10 SU and 14-14-2 ATS. Of the Spurs’ 30 games, 17 have finished under the total.
Jordan has averaged 18.2 rebounds, 13.2 points and 1.2 blocks over the last five games for Los Angeles.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Aldridge scored a game-high 25 points and the Spurs beat the Clippers 120-107, covering as 4-point favorites. He also recorded six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 227 points, which was 22.5 points above the projected point total of 204.5 points. The Spurs had a better turnover percentage (12.3 vs. 16.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.179 vs. 0.146).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 8-7 ATS on the road with 10 unders and 5 overs.
San Antonio is 10-5-1 ATS at home with 9 overs and 7 unders.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Los Angeles is 7-2 and San Antonio is 12-5.
The Spurs are 14-1 when they score more than 100 points, while the Clippers are 9-11.
San Antonio ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.7) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd (5.3).
The Spurs rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while the Clippers rank 20th (43.7).
San Antonio ranks 15th in assists per game (22.4) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (20.3).
The Spurs rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.5) while the Clippers rank 14th (12.6).
Los Angeles ranks 16th in three pointers attempted per game (29.5) while San Antonio ranks 25th (25.0).
The Spurs rank 17th in fast break points per game (9.7) while the Clippers rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
Los Angeles ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (40.7) while San Antonio ranks ninth (42.0).
The Spurs rank 21st in steals per game (7.3) while the Clippers rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Clippers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 2.1 points.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 101.0 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (5.2 above their season average).
