With the NBA Playoffs all but decided, it’s all about jockeying for position for most teams. That includes both the Los Angels Clippers (46-23) and the Charlotte Hornets (33-36), who will square off on Thursday night.
The Clippers will have a solid shot at holding on to third place in the Western Conference, per the NBA betting odds. They’re expected to beat Charlotte with the spread at eight points. Los Angeles trounced Charlotte when they met in March and it’s won nine of its last 10 meetings in the series. That trend should continue, but the Hornets will make this a game.
Hornets: Buzzing Around
Amidst all its injuries, the Charlotte Hornets can still chalk up this season as a success, having a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. LaMelo Ball is a heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year despite missing a chunk of the season.
However, since forward Gordon Hayward went down, the team hasn’t been the same. Not only are the Hornets 3.4 points worse without him, but they miss the stability Hayward brings to the offense. They also miss one of their main go-to scorers.
Since the loss of Hayward, Charlotte’s offense has dropped to 23rd in the league. The team is 9-16 without him. Miles Bridges’ (quarantine) absence only exacerbates the situation, though the team has found ways to stay in games.
Clippers: Switching Modes
Thanks to dropping four of its last seven games, Los Angeles remains one game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the third seed in the West. Still, the Clippers have handled business against teams they should beat.
Los Angeles has won five of its last eight games as a favorite. The spread is another thing — the Clippers have only covered in three of their last 10 games. The team’s offense has taken a bit of a tumble. It was once ranked in the top three in the league and has dropped to 17th in the last 10 games.
That may have come as a side effect of the team slowing down the tempo a bit and focusing on defense. The Clippers were ranked eighth in defensive rating and have managed to keep most of their recent games as low-scoring affairs.
Clippers Swat Hornets
It’s an easy bet online for the Clippers to win this at -350. Los Angeles is 25-6 against losing teams, the third-best winning ratio in the league. It’s also 41-18 as a favorite. On the flip side, the Hornets have been predictable lately with a 1-5 record as an underdog.
The Clippers already beat up on Charlotte when the Hornets were at the peak of their powers. Charlotte simply couldn’t contain the Clippers, who opened by dropping 37 first-quarter points. Paul George scored 18 first-half points on 7-of-11 shooting and was a +23 as the game never got close.
With the Clippers’ improved defense and the Hornets starving on offense, it should be another victory for LA, though it could be a sweat on some instances. The Clippers should be able to keep Charlotte contained and pull away in the fourth. Take Los Angeles to win but pick Charlotte on points.
Pick: Charlotte Hornets +8½ and/or Los Angeles Clippers -350
Bonus Pick: Keep it Low
Eleven of the Clippers’ last 13 games have gone under, similar to eight of the Hornets’ last 10 games against a Western team. The totals were set at 232 previously and it went under due to Charlotte only being able to muster 98 points.
It will be a bit closer here with Los Angeles scoring less and Charlotte scoring more. But bank on the under to cash for both teams once again.
