The Los Angeles Clippers refuse to fold, as some solid play even after dealing star power forward Blake Griffin has kept them in the hunt for the playoffs. Los Angeles is currently just a half-game behind the Nuggets with plenty of other teams in its crosshairs. The Clippers need to stack some wins as the regular season schedule hits its stretch run.
They have a tough game next time out against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers get this game at home, which could help make them slight favorites in the matchup. The Cavs are hoping to remain as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and could likewise use some wins down the stretch as they hope to be a contender come postseason play.
This is an intriguing matchup and it could be a competitive one down the stretch.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Staples Center at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on NBA TV.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers are 37-26 straight up and 20-42-1 against the spread. Cleveland has done better on the road than at home, covering in 13 of 30 attempts. The Cavaliers might be slight underdogs in this game, although that is not a given. The Cavaliers are 8-4 against the spread when getting points.
The Clippers are 34-29 straight up and 35-28 against the spread. Los Angeles has covered in 15 of 32 attempts at home. The Clippers have done a nice job as the favorite with a record of 20-13 against the spread.
This game figures to be a close one, so if either team takes a lead at the half, consider choosing the other to make a comeback in second half NBA betting lines.
Previous Meeting
The first time the Clippers and the Cavaliers met this season on November 17th, the game went to overtime with Cleveland pulling away in extra time for the 118-113 victory. James finished with 39 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland in that game and Kevin Love added 25 points and came up big in OT.
Dwyane Wade, who has since been traded to Miami, also had a double-double on the day for Cleveland, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Blake Griffin led the Clippers in scoring, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds while DeAndre Jordan came up huge at the rim with 22 rebounds in addition his 20 points. Griffin is now with the Pistons, so both teams will look significantly different.
That loss came in amidst a tough stretch for the Clippers where they lost nine straight. With the shake ups to Cleveland’s lineup since that first matchup and Love still out with a hand injury, the first game might not tell us a lot about this rematch, and the NBA spreads could be changed.
Key Stat
Six. That’s the number of road games the Cavs are facing in a row, beginning with this one in Los Angeles. Cleveland has a record of 15-15 on the road this season and this will be a particularly challenging stretch considering the injuries the team is battling right now.
In addition to missing Love, Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green are also out. Larry Nance Jr. did a nice job stepping into the starting lineup Monday, finishing with a double-double and he will be key for the Cavs during this road trip.
After this game against the Clippers, the Cavs will stick around Los Angeles to take on the Lakers before also traveling to Phoenix, Portland and Chicago. The Clippers are 18-14 at home this season.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Cleveland has James but it has not played like a true contender all season. The location is big. Even though the Clippers have an inferior record, they have enough talent to take care of business at home. Take Los Angeles to win this game as well as cover, because the spread will likely be small.
NBA Odds: Clippers 109, Cavaliers 105
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