The struggling Clippers are desperate to end the five-game losing run, while the Sixers are hoping to win after consecutive defeats. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers
Spread: Los Angeles Clippers -1.5 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 218.5 points (-110)
The 76ers are looking to pile more misery on the Clippers
The Philadelphia 76ers will play their fourth match on the road and after suffering a surprising 108:109 loss to the Sacramento Kings, they fell short against the holding champions Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, 114:134. The Sixers are 6-6 at the moment, and this tilt is an excellent opportunity to improve the record as the Clippers have plenty of problems with injuries.
The Warriors won the third quarter by 15 points, and that pretty much settled the tie on Saturday, shooting 58.5% from the field, which was more than enough to beat the Sixers. Philadelphia recorded only two blocks in opposite to Golden State’s ten and had five steals fewer than the hosts, and despite being equal in other segments, the champions proved to be too much for the young Philadelphia team. J.J. Redick led the 76ers with 17 points, six assists, and game-high three thefts, while Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 15 points off the bench. Dario Saric scored 14, Ben Simmons had 13 points, eight dimes, five rebounds, and a pair of steals, while Joel Embiid ended the game with 12 points, seven boards, but committed even seven mistakes. Robert Covington and Richaun Holmes combined for 22 points, and Covington is the man to watch in a favorable matchup against Wes Johnson. Redick is another individual that should be carefully monitored as he faces his former team so that the sharp-shooter could play a significant part in this encounter. Embiid could have problems with DeAndre Jordan in the paint, but in case he is unable to score from the interior, the Sixers can hurt the hosts from outside. However, if we’re looking for a potential star of the game, Ben Simmons is certainly among the candidates to steal the show.
Brett Brown has similar injury-related concerns as Doc Rivers as he is also without a couple of guards, Markelle Fultz and Jerryd Bayless. The rookie is a long-term absentee, and he’ll not return for quite some time, but Bayless could be back later this week. Redick will continue to log 30+ minutes as a result of these injuries, and he has been the most consistent Sixer in the previous four games, averaging 20.5 ppg. The 76ers are scoring 107.92 points per contest on average (10th in the NBA), while they are allowing 109.83 points in return (25th in the NBA). Philly can cause damage from beyond the arc thanks to the excellent percentage of 40.21% (3rd in the NBA), and the Sixers are also one of the best teams (4th) when it comes to rebounding (47.58). They are good in defending the perimeter, so the Clippers could have plenty of problems to hurt the 76ers from a distance.
Place: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Date/Time: Monday, November 13th, 2017, 10:30 PM ET
TV Coverage: FOX SPORTS PRIME TICKET, NBCSP, NBA TV CANADA
The Clippers are searching for the way out of the hole
The Los Angeles Clippers entered this campaign on a high note, but a miserable one win in the last eight matches is a huge concern for Doc Rivers. Five straight losses, two of which were at Staples Center, put them in an awkward position, so the Clippers must respond with a win and snap the negative run. They allowed 120 points in two out of the previous three games, while the offense was unable to make for weak defense, and considering that the Sixers are quite good on both ends of the floor, Los Angeles has a mountain to climb to beat the talented visitors.
The most recent loss came against the New Orleans Pelicans, 103:111, mainly because of a poor display under the rims as the hosts dominated the boards (51-37). The Clippers had just 16 assists in opposite to the Pelicans’ 26, and although they didn’t commit a bunch of turnovers (11-23), they didn’t come close to New Orleans who led throughout the whole second half. Blake Griffin was a top-scorer for L.A., posting 26 points, six dimes, and four rebounds, while Austin Rivers chipped in with 19 points and a pair of thefts. Lou Williams cooled off after a 35-point performance at Oklahoma and added 14 points against the Pelicans, but he will be one of the primary weapons in the offense on this one. DeAndre Jordan posted a double-double of 12 points and 14 boards, while Jawun Evans contributed with 11 points and four rebounds. Griffin should have a favorable matchup with the Croatian Dario Saric, who is not a bad defender, but Blake is currently the sole team leader, and there is no doubt he will be fired up to end the losing streak finally. Williams and Rivers will likely be right behind Griffin, but the problem is that the Clippers don’t have other reliable scorers, not with Danilo Gallinari on the sidelines.
Doc Rivers cannot count on the Serbian guard Milos Teodosic, but he is also without Patrick Beverley, who is dealing with a sore right knee, so these injuries are directly affecting the organization of the attacking plays. Williams and Rivers are seeing additional time on the floor as a result, and although they are excellent scorers, Teodosic and Beverly are much better when it comes to creativity and creating plays. The Italian forward Danilo Gallinari (strained left glute) is out for this tilt as well, but Rivers is being cautious with both Gallo and Bev as the Clippers don’t play until Friday. It’s evident that the coach wants to keep them out and give them more time to return to full strength. The Clippers are scoring 107.42 points per contest on average (13th in the NBA), while they are allowing 105.75 points in return (17th in the NBA). They are among the best teams in the league (6th) when it comes to rebounds (45.83), so I was surprised with just 37 boards in New Orleans, and I expect that to change on Monday.
Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers Trends & Prediction
The 76ers are 8-4 against the spread (5-3 away), while they are 8-4 on over/under (6-2 away), so I can say that Philadelphia is highly efficient on the road, scoring 104 or more in the last five matches. With currently unimpressive Clippers’ defense, I believe this one could produce at least 220 points.
The Clippers are 5-7 against the spread (3-4 home), while they are 5-6-1 on over/under (3-3-1 home), and although I cannot say who is closer to win this duel, I am pretty sure we will see a bunch of baskets so that I would go with OVER here.
My Pick: Pass
Total: Over 218.5
