There’s just no stopping the Clippers right now. Los Angeles extended its winning streak to six games with an emphatic 31-point victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Six players scored in double-figures for the Clippers who will next face the struggling Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this much-anticipated Western Conference matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland
When: Wednesday, January 6, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Clippers (-4) at Portland Trail Blazers (+4); total: 205.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers (22-13)
The Los Angeles Clippers stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a resounding 130-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Chris Paul led the way for the Clips, scoring 15 points and dishing out 14 dimes. The Clippers have now beaten the 76ers by an average of 29.3 points in the teams’ last three meetings.
[sc:NBA250 ]Key to the Clips’ resurgence has been their phenomenal offense. Doc Rivers’ men are averaging 103.7 points per game this season, fifth-best in the NBA. The Clips have stepped up their offensive play of late, averaging 112.8 points in their last five games. That scorching offense was in full display Saturday against the Sixers where they shot an incredible 60.5 percent from the field.
What makes this feat even more impressive is that they are doing it without Blake Griffin. The Clippers are 5-0 since losing the All-Star power forward to a quadriceps injury. Fortunately for Los Angeles, DeAndre Jordan is stepping up big time in his absence. He recorded his 20th double-double in the win against Philadelphia, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
They will look to keep the momentum going when they take on the Blazers later tonight. The teams have split their two meetings this season but the Clippers have won 10 of their past 15 matchups. Expected to spearhead the Clippers’ charge is the red-hot J.J. Redick. He is averaging 22.7 points over the past three games, going 13-of-18 from beyond the arc.
The Clippers are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
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Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (15-22)
Portland opened its five-game home stand in disappointing fashion as it suffered a humbling 91-78 loss to Memphis on Monday night. The Blazers simply had no answer for the Grizzlies’ reserves who scored a whopping 50 points.
The Blazers will look to return to winning ways tonight when they face the streaking Los Angeles Clippers. For Portland to accomplish this feat, it needs to improve on its play on the offensive end. The Blazers shot just 38.9 percent from the field in the loss to the Grizzlies. That’s way below their 44.4 percent shooting average this season. Their 78-point output was their lowest mark this season.
The onus then is on Damian Lillard to provide the spark for the Portland offense. He struggled in his first game back from a foot injury, scoring 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting with seven turnovers against the Grizzlies. He’s expected to bounce back strongly, though, against the Clippers tonight. He averaged 17.0 points and 3.5 assists in the Blazers’ first two meetings with the Clips this season.
The Blazers are 6-4 SU and ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers (-4) keep the winning streak going with a 113-99 victory.
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