Surging Clippers Favored to Continue Home Success vs Celtics

Los Angeles (17-6 SU, 14-9 ATS) has won six straight games at Staples Center, a streak the Clips look to extend Friday when they host the struggling Celtics (11-9, 11-9). Boston has lost six of its last nine games and opened as a 5-point underdog.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Boston has been an underdog of 5 points or more just twice this season, going 1-1 SU and ATS in that situation. The Celts have been a great bet in this price range over recent seasons, covering 11 of their last 15 when catching at least 5 points.

Boston News & Notes

One night after gutting out a 111-107 win at Golden State, the Celtics’ recent struggles continued with a 116-111 loss to the Kings on Wednesday in Sacramento. Boston was outscored 11-6 in the final 2:26 of regulation and Jayson Tatum missed a potential game-tying three with 1.5 seconds to go, spoiling an otherwise stellar outing by the Celts’ star forward. Tatum finished one rebound short of his first triple-double of the season, scoring 27 points and dishing out 10 assists.

Kemba Walker sat out the second night of Boston’s back-to-back due to load management, but the point guard should be good to suit up against the Clippers. With Marcus Smart sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a strained calf, Walker’s absence forced the Celtics to start Jeff Teague at the point and also give extended minutes to Tremont Waters. Teague and Waters combined to miss 12 of their 14 shots from the field.

Center Tristan Thompson turned in his second straight strong outing Wednesday, however, hitting seven of nine field-goal attempts and finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Thompson, who signed late with Boston and missed most of training camp with a strained hamstring, has shot 12-for-14 in his last two games, averaging 15 points and nine boards.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Clippers improved their league-leading percentage from behind the arc Wednesday by knocking down 20 of 34 three-point attempts in a 121-99 victory at Cleveland.

Paul George was LA’s hottest shooter from downtown, going 8-for-9 on treys in a 36-point outing. Kawhi Leonard added 24 points for the Clips, who improved to 11-2 SU in their last 13 games and remain the only team in the NBA that hasn’t lost two straight this season.

The lopsided victory also allowed coach Ty Lue to spread out the minutes, something that could pay off Friday as the Clippers return home from a six-game eastern road trip to play for the sixth time in nine days. George and Leonard were the only players to see more than 27 minutes of floor time vs the Cavs.

Point guard play might be the Clippers’ biggest concern at the moment, at least until Patrick Beverley returns to the lineup from right knee soreness. Reggie Jackson, who has started in Beverley’s absence, went scoreless in 23 minutes Wednesday and has missed nine of 12 shots from the field in his last two games.

Betting Pick: UNDER 221

Boston’s best chance at the upset is to slow the pace, and the Clippers should be happy to oblige in their sixth game in nine days.