| Game Time | 07:30 pm EST |
| Los Angeles Clippers Line | +9.5 |
| Boston Celtics Line | -9.5 |
| Total | 218.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
The Clippers are making their second stop of a four-game road trip, after playing last night in Philadelphia. LA is still without Kawhi Leonard, and are also missing their top scorer this season, Norman Powell. But they are making the best of what they have and are currently running a four-game winning streak. On the other hand, the Celtics are having a successful season so far as defending champions, sitting second in the Eastern Conference, behind only the near-perfect Cleveland Cavaliers.
Below is a detailed analysis for Los Angeles Clippers vs Boston Celtics game.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
Boston Celtics Injury Report: Al Horford is day-to-day, Kristaps Porzingis is out
Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report: Norman Powell is day-to-day, PJ Tucker and Kawhi Leonard are out
Boston Celtics Recent Form and Trends
The Celtics have a 13-3 record this season and are sitting on the second place of the East. Boston is 7-9 against the spread and 8-7-1 in over/under. The Celtics have a 5-2 home record but 2-5 against the spread, with a +5.3-point differential. Boston is 6-1 in their last 7 games, but 1-4 against the spread in their last 5. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Boston is coming off a 108-96 win in Washington, but they did not shoot the ball very well, with just 42.4% from the field and 23.9% from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown led Boston’s offense with a game-high 31 points, 5 assists and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Jason Tatum leads Boston in scoring this season, with an average of 29.1 points, adding 8.2 rebounds and a team-high 6.1 assists. Jaylen Brown adds 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Los Angeles Clippers Recent Form and Trends
The Los Angeles Clippers have a 10-7 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the Western Conference. The Clippers are 10-6-1 against the spread and 5-12 in over/under. The Clips have a 3-3 road record and are 4-2 against the spread, with a -2.2-point differential. LA is coming off four consecutive wins and are 8-3 to the under in their last 11 games.
The Clippers are coming off a 104-88 win over the Sacramento Kings, playing excellent defense and holding their opponents into just 38.6% shooting from the field. James Harden led LA’s offense with 22 points, 6 rebounds and a team-high 9 assists.
Norman Powell leads the Clips in scoring with 23.3 points, shooting with 49% from the field and 48.7% from downtown, but he is out with an injury. James Harden adds 20.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and a team-high 8.8 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Celtics are second-best in the NBA with 120.7 points per game. They shoot 46% from the field (16th) and 37.1% from beyond the arc (11th). Defensively, they rank 13th in the NBA, allowing 111.8 points per game.
Offensively, the Clippers are just 26th in the league with 108.6 points per game. They shoot 45.9% from the field (16th) and 37.1% from beyond the arc (10th). Defensively, they rank 4th in the NBA, allowing 108.1 points per game.
Both teams were tied 1-1 wins last season, with each one winning on the road. In their previous meeting in Boston, the Clippers won 115-96. LA is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings and 4-1 against the spread. The Clippers are 3-0 against the spread in their last 3 visits in Boston. Under is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings.
Prediction
In this Los Angeles Clippers vs Boston Celtics Prediction, the Celtics are coming as -9.5 home favorites. The Clippers are playing great basketball as of late, but this is a bad situational spot for them. They are on the second leg of a road back-to-back and amidst a four-game road trip, and have been mediocre on the road this season. On the other hand, the Celtics are also on the second leg of a back-to-back, but they played last night at home. The Clippers have been involved mostly in low scoring games this season and the under dominates their recent meetings. I expect tired legs from both teams and taking the under
Nick’s Pick: Under 218.5