Thursday’s NBA action features a potential first-round playoff matchup, as the San Antonio Spurs take on the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers are battling for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference right now, as they have just a half-game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers after losing to them on Tuesday night.
L.A. has rebounded from a 6-21 start to the season, but it is a home underdog on Thursday against a Spurs team that is closing in on 60 wins. San Antonio dominated the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, and it’s looking to sweep this back-to-back to stay in the mix for the No. 1 seed in the conference.
MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama has been on a tear as of late as well, averaging 30.0 points and 15.8 rebounds per game over his last five games.
With so much at stake for both teams, how should we bet on Thursday’s matchup?
Let’s dive into the odds, a player to watch in the prop market and my prediction for this Western Conference showdown.
Spurs vs. Clippers Odds, Spread and Total
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread
Spurs -3.5 (-108)Clippers +3.5 (-112)
Moneyline
Spurs: -162Clippers: +136
Total
230.5 (Over -108/Under -112)Spurs vs. Clippers How to WatchDate: Thursday, April 2Time: 10:30 p.m. ESTVenue: Intuit DomeHow to Watch (TV): FanDuel Sports Network (Local)Spurs record: 58-18Clippers record: 39-37Spurs vs. Clippers Injury ReportsSpurs Injury ReportClippers Injury ReportBradley Beal – outYanic Konan Niederhauser – outIsaiah Jackson – outSpurs vs. Clippers Best NBA Prop BetsSpurs Best NBA Prop BetVictor Wembanyama OVER 11.5 Rebounds (-129)
Earlier today, I shared in my NBA Best Bets column – Peter’s Points – why I’m backing Wemby on the glass once again:
Wembanyama has turned in back-to-back insane double-doubles, putting up 41 points and 16 rebounds in a win over the Chicago Bulls and 41 points and 18 rebounds in Wednesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
The Spurs star has now picked up at least 12 boards in eight of his last 10 games, including five games in a row with 15 or more rebounds.
He’s taking on a Los Angeles Clippers team that is 20th in the NBA in rebound percentage this season, so I’d expect another huge game on the glass for the former No. 1 overall pick. Wemby had 13 rebounds against the Clippers back on March 16, and he needed just 21:33 to grab 10 boards against them on March 6.
With Ivica Zubac no longer with the Clippers, and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser out, Wemby should have a field day on the glass on Thursday.
Spurs vs. Clippers Prediction and Pick
Both of these teams are in the top 10 in the NBA in net rating over their last 10 games, but there is no way I’m fading the Spurs during this winning streak.
San Antonio has won 10 games in a row, and it’s now 20-2 since the All-Star break with a net rating of +14.5.
Oddsmakers have San Antonio as a small favorite in this game against a Clippers team that is an impressive 8-3 against the spread when set as a home underdog. However, the Clippers are coming off a huge loss to Portland earlier in the week that could drop them to the No. 9 seed in the West, and they have a pair of four-point losses to San Antonio over the last month.
Since the Spurs are playing the second night of a back-to-back, I’ll just forget the points in this game and take them to win outright. The Spurs’ only two losses since the break came against the New York Knicks (at Madison Square Garden) and to the Denver Nuggets with Wemby out of the lineup.
Pick: Spurs Moneyline (-162 at DraftKings)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
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