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The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on February 13, 2020.
The Clippers look to head to the All-Star break on a positive note. Los Angeles has lost two out of its last three games played and is coming off a defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers last Tuesday night. The Celtics saw their seven-game winning streak snapped by James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Boston is currently chasing the Toronto Raptors for the lead in the Atlantic Division and they are just 2.5 games behind their division leaders.
Clippers Were the Preseason Favorites
The Clippers have one of the most talented rosters in the league and they were the preseason favorites to win the NBA title this year. However, they have not lived up to their billing because injuries have prevented them from developing chemistry and their lack of floor time together has caused some hiccups. LA has won six out of its last 10 games played but they have lost to the lowly Hawks and Timberwolves during that period.
In their last game, the Clippers suffered a 103-110 setback to the Philadelphia 76ers. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 30 points. The Klaw has scored at least 20 points in four out of his last seven outings and has a pair of 30-point games during that period. Landry Shamet added 19 points against his former team.
The Clippers rank 6th in the league in scoring at 115.6 points per game. They are 3rd in rebounding at 48.0 boards grabbed per contest and are also 17th in passing at 23.9 assists per game. The LA Clippers are 13th in scoring defense at 109.7 points per game allowed this season.
Like the Clippers, the Boston Celtics also underwent major changes last summer. Boston lost Al Horford and Kyrie Irving to free agency but they acquired All-Star guard Kemba Walker via trade. Walker has fit nicely with his new team but has been injury-prone as of late. He returned to action three games ago and is starting to get his groove back. He shot just 29% from the floor and scored only 14 points in their loss to the Rockets on Tuesday night.
Walker is averaging 21.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season. Jaylen Brown is dealing with a calf injury but has averaged 21.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in five February games played. Jayson Tatum is coming off a 15 point game where he shot just 5-15 against Houston. Gordon Hayward led the Celtics with 20 points against the Rockets.
Boston is ranked 12th in the league in scoring at 112.6 points per game this season. They are 11th in rebounding at 45.6 boards grabbed per contest and are 21st in passing at 23.3 assists per game. The Celtics own the second-best scoring defense in the NBA this season at only 105.7 points per game allowed.
Who Wins?
The Clippers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games played. Los Angeles is 3-3 SU in their last six games played on the road, 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against the Atlantic Division. The Celtics are 7-1 SU in their last eight games played. Boston is 6-0 SU in their last six games played at home. Head to head, the Clippers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played against the Celtics.
The Clippers have been a team that shows up in big games. Unfortunately, they faltered against the Sixers the last time out and even with their two all-stars playing. Los Angeles has won four out of their last six outings but are just 1-2 SU in their last three games played.
Boston is coming off a loss to the Houston Rockets in a game where they uncharacteristically committed 18 turnovers. That defeat ended a seven-game winning streak for the Celtics. Boston has won six straight at the TD Garden and is one of the best home teams this season at 22-5 SU at their home floor.
With Jaylen Brown back, Boston has its full lineup against the LA Clippers. Meanwhile, the Clippers continue to miss Patrick Beverley who is still out with a groin injury. The Clippers have played better at home than on the road this year and the Celtics are one of the best home teams in the league this season.
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Other Bets to Make
Los Angeles is 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Clippers are 3-3 ATS in their last six games played on the road, and 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Eastern Conference. Boston is 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games played. The Celtics are 3-1 ATS in their last four games played at home, and 3-6 ATS in their last nine games played in February. Head to head, the Clippers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Celtics. Los Angeles is also 5-1 ATS in their last six road games against Boston.
Clippers
+2 (-110)
Celtics
-2 (-110)
Odds from SportsBetting as of 02/13/20
The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in four out of their last seven games played and are 13-14 ATS on the road this year. Meanwhile, the Celtics are 31-20-2 ATS at home this season, and they have lost just five times in 27 home games played. I like this to be a competitive game with both teams having their moments. In the end, though, I think Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum will deliver the big baskets and deal the Clippers another setback.
Prediction: Celtics -2
The total has gone under in four out of the last six games played by the Clippers. The under is 8-3 in Los Angeles’ last 11 games played on the road. The total has gone under in eight out of the last 11 games played by the Celtics. Boston has seen the total go under in three out of their last four home games. Head to head, the total has gone over in four out of the last five games between these two teams.
Over
229 (-110)
Under
229 (-110)
Odds from SportsBetting as of 02/13/20
The Clippers scored at least 115 points in four out of five games before scoring just 103 points in the loss to the Sixers last Tuesday. The Celtics scored at least 112 points in six straight games before their loss to the Rockets last Tuesday night. These two teams have plenty of scorers on hand. The Clippers are the 6th highest-scoring team in the league this season while the Celtics are in the Top 12. All signs point to a high-scoring affair between these two contenders.
Prediction: Over 229
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