Tonight, two of the best in the West, the Clippers and the Thunder, go head-to-head with the No. 2 seed in the conference still up for grabs. Meanwhile, the Red Sox look to exact revenge on the Rangers in game three of their series.
We breakdown both games below as we get you set for the best games to bet on today at Top Bet.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM EST)
Line: Texas Rangers (-155) at Boston Red Sox (+135); total 9.0 – view these lines
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
[sc:NBA240banner ]A day after snapping their two-game losing skid, the Oklahoma City Thunder take on a Los Angeles Clippers club that has won 18 of their last 21 games. OKC is just 7-6 this season in the second matchup of back-to-back games, and are only 2-8 ATS in its last 10 road contests.
The good news is Russell Westbrook is expected to be in action. Since March 1, the former UCLA Bruin is averaging 23.1 PPG on 48% shooting, 7.2 APG, and 5.2 RPG, and his team has gone 12-6 over that span.
To win, OKC will have to limit Los Angeles’ scoring, something they’ve struggled to do when playing with Thabo Sefalosha, who returned in yesterday’s game vs. Sacramento. Though the Swiss player has a reputation of being a pesky defender, the Thunder have allowed the equivalent of 113.0 PPG when Sefalosha has been on the floor in three games against LAC (1-2) this season, about a dozen points more than the team’s season average of 100.8.
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
In their last 20 games, Los Angeles has gone 12-7-1 ATS. A lot of their success is thanks to Blake Griffin, who has put up 23.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 4.6 APG during that time. Meanwhile, against the Thunder, the former No. 1 pick is averaging 23.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 6.0 APG this season.
To beat OKC again and win the season series, Los Angeles will have to defend this potent Thunder line up. The Clip have done a good job of that this season, limiting opponents’ field goal shooting (44.2%).
Offensively, the Clippers should have options. The Thunder give up 8.6 three-pointers per game to their opponents, which will be an advantage for a team with so many shooters like the Clippers.
Prediction
Oklahoma City’s bad three-point defense and performance in back-to-back games will hurt them in this one. Take the Clippers to cover -3 and move within a half game of the Thunder for second in the West.
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox (4:05 PM EST)
Line: Texas Rangers (-155) at Boston Red Sox (+135); total 9.0 – view these lines
Betting on the Texas Rangers
After getting swallowed up by the defense of Boston (3-5) in the first game of their series, the Rangers (4-4) exploded with five runs en route to a 10-7 victory on Tuesday. Tonight, Texas’ Robbie Ross (3.60 ERA, 1-0) makes the second start of his career after pitching well in his first outing.
Over their last 10 meetings, the Rangers are 7-3 SU against the Red Sox. Furthermore, in the last four games where Jake Peavy, who’s starting for Boston, has pitched against them, Texas has gone 2-2.
Betting on the Boston Red Sox
The defending champions have started the season slow, and their low-scoring performances might have something to do with that. In Boston’s last 10 games, the total has hit the over seven times. They are also ranked 16thin both runs (24) and slugging pct. (.373) through the first week and change of the season.
In their last 10 encounters against the Rangers at Fenway Park, Boston has won only four times. Furthermore, despite Prince Fielder’s recent struggles, he has a .348 (23-of-66) lifetime batting average in Boston, including eight doubles and five homers.
Peavy will have his hands full, as he’s about to face Shin-Soo Choo, who has hit .429 against Peavy over 21 bats in their careers, and is playing especially well this season, with a .444 on-base percentage.
Prediction
The Rangers are quietly one of the most effective teams in the league against the Red Sox at home. Pick Texas.
