Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers: Clippers can snatch one here

In this inter-conference tussle, the Los Angeles Clippers host the Sacramento Kings. While the Clippers are a game under the 50% win mark, the Kings are 4 games below it. The Clippers have lost Ja Morant’s services for now while Kings have their own injury issues. Still, the Kings have a great chance to pull off another win here. For a quick overview, head to the “Notes” section.

Los Angeles Clippers are the type of team that can go on cold streaks especially if the opposition is red-hot from the field. Yes, they did get 119 points against the Lakers but mostly their efforts have been relegated to low-percentage shooting since mid-November. The team is overly reliant upon Paul George and Reggie Jackson during most games, who put up a ton of shots and at times, the offense becomes a one-way stream. The Clippers had been outscored by a long margin in the first quarters/first half before the game against the Lakers. That is one of their weaknesses indeed.

Sacramento Kings is as inconsistent as it comes. Case in point? The team has scored 120+ and 101 or less twice in the last four games. One issue with the Kings all season long has been the lack of win streak, a win here, a couple of losses there, and it is no surprise that the team is far off from the 50% win mark. Still, there is plenty of time and with the core of Fox, Hield, Mitchell, and Haliburton as four guards, the team should win more often. What needs to change? Perhaps, the clarity of rotations? The team has won three out of its last five games but haven’t looked convincing to get to a winning record yet.

Just 10 days ago or so, I was hailing the Clippers’ defense, which was indeed on fire, holding opponents to 90-98 points on a consistent basis. The theme changed once Nicolas Batum went away due to the COVID-19 protocols and the team has leaked 115 or more in the last three games. But it is fine, this is the world of the NBA, such variations occur throughout the season. It seems like Nicolas provided the team with a defensive identity and the team needs him back for his smarts. A team like Clippers that can have long dry spells can’t afford defensive lapses for sure.

Sacramento is one of the worst defensive units in the league. The team has continually given up 115-127 points during most nights and is not switched on in terms of defense. Davion Mitchell has shown the promise of becoming a lockdown defender but the team defense is fragile and that is the biggest reason for the current record. With a new coach in Alvin Gentry, Sacramento needs to work its defense, or the window to catch up will only reduce from here on. It is a long season but it doesn’t go on forever you know.

Here are some quick hitters related to the game:

• Clippers have three wins and four losses away from home. They beat the Lakers 119:115 during the last game;
• Kings are three wins and eight losses at home. Their away from the home record is better than the home record;
• Los Angeles Clippers have scored 119, 115, 104, 90, 107 in the last five games;
• Kings have scored 124, 92, 101, 141(3OT), 125 in the last five games;
• Clippers have allowed 115, 124, 123, 105, 96, in their last five games;
• Kings have allowed 115, 117, 128, 137(3OT), 121 in their last five games;
• Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 124:115 the last these two teams met;
• DeAaron Fox is averaging around 20 points for the Kings. Richuan Holmes has grabbed 10 or more rebounds multiple times this season. Buddy Hield scores 14-18 points regularly off the bench;
• Maurice Harkless is out for the game when it comes to the Kings. Harrison Barnes is doubtful for the game;
• Paul George is “hopeful” to play in the game after tweaking his ankle. Nicolas Batum and Kawhi Leonard will not play for the Clippers;
• Do check the injury report before placing bets.

Points Range: It is all about the points of course. Score more, you win, but with NBA betting, the score goes beyond the losses and wins. Suppose a team is down 99:112(211 Total) with 10 seconds to go and you bet on a Total of Over 211.5, the game is pretty much over, but not for you! That is how those Total Over or Under can work at certain junctures. Here, I pick the points range of 210-225, based on the nature of leaky Sacramento defense and I believe the Clippers will go hard at them here.

Prediction: It is the NBA, prediction can be splintered just like that. For instance, look, the Rockets who had won just two out of 15-16 games earlier are on a five-game win streak. This is there are 82 games for each team! For the sake of prediction, I choose Clippers to win with a scoreline of 116:104 in their favor.

• W2 for 1.85;
• Total Points: Over 216 for 1.90;
• Team Props: LA Clippers: Over 108.5 for 1.86.