The Washington Wizards will travel to the Staples Center to challenge the Los Angeles Clippers. The game starts at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday, Apr. 3 and can be seen on PRI and WA2.
The Clippers are expecting a different result after their 119-117 loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Jamal Crawford was the game’s high scorer, recording 32 points. The Wizards, meanwhile, are coming off a 106-99 win against the Suns on Friday. Markieff Morris had a solid game for Washington, registering 21 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in the matchup. Los Angeles commits the third-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.8%), while Washington’s pesky defense causes the second-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.7%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Clippers won the first game 108-91. Otto Porter was a top player in the game with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three three-pointers.
The Clippers come into this game 47-28 Straight Up (SU) and 36-37-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 47-28 SU and 36-37-2 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. Few teams in the league have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Los Angeles, which ranks third at 1.82.
In the other locker room, the Wizards have 37-39 SU and 38-37-1 ATS records. Washington has records of 37-39 SU and 38-37-1 ATS against the West.
In their previous meeting this season, Los Angeles beat Washington, bringing its SU record to 8-2 over the Wizards in the last 10 games. At 5-5, they are even ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAC
Notes
“LA Clippers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“LA Clippers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers’s last 6 games “.
“LA Clippers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“LA Clippers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers’s last 5 games at home”.
“LA Clippers is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Washington”.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers’s last 6 games when playing Washington”.
Los Angeles puts up an average of 104.6 points per game (ranked seventh). Washington ranks 21st in points allowed per game with 104.5.
On average, Los Angeles scores 104.7 points per home game (ranked 14th). Washington ranks 18th in points allowed per road game with 105.1.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Clippers are an outstanding 35-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Washington Wizards have an underachieving record of 6-21.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Clippers are just 12-25 this season. Washington is a solid 31-18 when it reaches the century mark.
The Wizards have a defensive rating of 104.2 (ranked 15th). The Clippers rank sixth for their offensive rating of 107.1.
Los Angeles averages fewer possessions per game than Washington, with 97.7 compared to 100.4. However, the Clippers score an average of 1.071 points per possession, more than the 1.030 that the Wizards score.
The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking fourth in the league with an EFF% of 52.2%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Washington Wizards have a poor 10-24 record.
The Washington Wizards, ranked fifth in the NBA, average 24.2 assists per game. The Los Angeles Clippers make 22.7 assists (ranked 11th).
The Los Angeles Clippers average 5.7 blocks per game for a rank of eighth. The Washington Wizards rank lower (25th), earning 4.0 blocks each game.
Los Angeles is ranked 28th when it comes to offensive rebounding. Washington ranks 22nd in defensive rebounds.
The Los Angeles Clippers earn an average of 8.5 steals per game and are ranked ninth. The Washington Wizards have a 20-27 record when they allow at least 8 steals.
