Thunder At Clippers Preview: A Bettors Perspective
Jan 30th, 2012 by PJ LaFerla
Betting Line:
Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5)
Los Angels Clippers (+2.5)
Over/Under 196
Game Time 10:35 EST
What a great Western conference matchup we have as the Oklahoma City Thunder visit Los Angeles or should I say Lob City to play the Clippers at Staples Center. Both teams are in first place in their respective divisions, so I expect nothing short of a back-and-forth battle from tip off to the final buzzer.
GAME ANALYSIS:
The Thunder (16-3) have been the elite of the Western Conference and certainly look like a team with their sites set on a trip that is headed to the NBA finals. With their stellar record, it is obvious they are winning on the road (8-2), but what about against the spread? The Thunder are producing a 60% won/loss ATS record, currently sitting at 6-4 and score better than 100 points per outing, while giving up fewer than 95 points per game. They have a slew of young talent and bring it on the floor for 48 minutes every night – so expect nothing less than their usual effort tonight in Los Angeles.
The Clippers (11-6) come into this matchup riding a two game winning streak, notching two wins against the spread in the process. They have stayed true to a trend they have been following all but once this season – when they win a game, they cover the spread, when they lose a game, they don’t cover the spread. However, at home they have established themselves to be a force with a 9-2 overall record and an 8-3 record against the spread. There is no give in this matchup and as I stated in my opening paragraph. I expect a back-and-forth battle from tip off to the final buzzer.
WHO TO BET ON?
This is a game that can go either way giving how both teams have started out this season, but I give the edge to the Thunder because they have been playing together as a unit longer than the Clippers and that definitely counts for something. The Clippers are a good team that is heading in the right the direction, but the Thunder have been so dominate this season, I can’t see anyone in the West stopping their chase for an NBA title. In close matchups like this, the home team always has an edge, but the Thunder have proven this season it doesn’t matter where they play – they just win. The Thunder will win again tonight and cover the point spread.
Make your play on the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover the point spread.
SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ The Thunder are 11-1 straight up in its last 12 games.
~ The Clippers are 9-1 straight up in their last 10 games at home.
~ The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Clippers last 10 games at home.
PREDICTION:
Thunder 107, Clippers 99
PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.