Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview
Where: STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, California
When: Sunday, December 4, 2016, 9:30 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers (TBA) – view all NBA lines
Writer’s Pick: Los Angeles Clippers
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Betting on the Indiana Pacers (TBA)
The Indiana Pacers’ up-and-down season continues. After back-to-back home wins over Brooklyn (118-97) and the Clippers (91-70), the Pacers were absolutely crushed 131-109 on the road at Portland on Wednesday to drop back down below .500 at 9-10. The Pacers have yet to win three games in a row this season.
The Pacers were playing their sixth game in the last seven without superstar Paul George, who has been nursing an ankle injury. However, he’s set to return to practice, and could make his return against the Clippers.
Glenn Robinson III has been filling in admirably for George over the past few games in the starting lineup. Robinson is averaging 17 points over his last three games. That includes a team-high 17 in their recent win against the Clippers. Myles Turner also added 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Al Jefferson added 16 points off the bench.
That big win over LA was at home, though. The Pacers have been pretty wretched on the road this year. They are just 1-6 SU and ATS in seven road games thus far. Poor defense has been to blame for their road struggles. They are giving up 117 points per game on the road, second-most in the NBA. Unsurprisingly, the total has gone over in their last six games away from home.
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers (TBA)
The Los Angeles Clippers’ mini-crisis didn’t last too long. After a three-game slide, the Clippers recovered by claiming the final two games of their six-game road trip. They crushed the Cavs 113-94 in Cleveland on national television, and did the same to the New Orleans Pelicans 114-96 on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Clippers were still able to punk the Pellies despite resting J.J. Redick, who led the team with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting against the Cavs. Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford stepped up in Redick’s absence as they combined for 33 points. Redick is set to return to the lineup against the Pacers, where he will look to make up for his disastrous 5-point, 1-of-7 shooting performance in their previous meeting.
The Clippers rediscovered in their two blowout wins the combination of highly-efficient offense and stifling defense which has been the reason for their success. They are the only team in the league in the top 4 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Look for them to continue that fine play at home, where they have been amazing this season. The Clippers are 7-2 at Staples, and are outscoring opponents by nearly 15 points per 100 possessions (by far the best mark in the league).
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers cruise past the Pacers, 110-89.
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