High-Scoring Nets Open As Favorites vs Clippers

Brooklyn (13-9 SU, 9-13 ATS) has been good to OVER bettors, eclipsing the total in nine of its last 10 games. But the Nets’ defensive issues could prove costly in a matchup with red-hot LA (16-5, 13-8), which has won 10 of its last 11.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Other than the two games Kawhi Leonard and Paul George sat out last week, the Clippers haven’t been underdogs since the Sportsbook night of the season against the Lakers. Don’t be surprised if LA closes as the road chalk.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Playing without two starters, the Clippers still put up a season-high 129 points on Sunday — and they did it against the NBA’s top defense. LA shot 54 percent from the floor and knocked down 17 treys against a Knicks squad that entered the contest allowing just 102.7 points per game. Leonard and George showed no rust after missing two games last week due to health and safety protocols, combining for 45 points on 15-for-31 shooting.

A couple of LA’s reserves also made the most of their increased opportunity with forward Nic Batum (groin) and point guard Patrick Beverley (knee) out of the lineup. Reggie Jackson started for Beverley and scored 18 points in 25 minutes, while Patrick Patterson hit all five of his shots – including three triples – in place of Batum.

Neither Batum nor Beverley appears likely to return to action Tuesday, but the Clippers don’t seem to need them right now anyway. LA has won 10 of its last 11 overall and covered the number in seven of its last nine. The Clips are also a sizzling 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games as the visitors.

Brooklyn News & Notes

After allowing 124 or more points three times during a four-game winning streak, the Nets’ defensive issues finally caught up with them Sunday in Washington. Brooklyn allowed the Wizards to shoot 51.9 percent from the floor and gave up 48 fourth-quarter points in a 149-146 loss to the Wizards — including a pair of three-pointers 3.5 seconds apart in the final minute.

“It’s not looking great defensively for our team, giving up that many points,” Kevin Durant admitted to ESPN following the contest.

It’s not looking great for oddsmakers either, at least when it comes to setting totals high enough for Nets games. Sunday marked the sixth time in seven games that Brooklyn eclipsed the total by at least 14 points, and five of those games soared over by at least 20. Dating back to last year, Brooklyn has now gone OVER the total in 16 of its last 21 games overall and in eight of its last nine as hosts.

James Harden is expected to return to the Brooklyn lineup after sitting out Sunday’s loss with a thigh contusion. Through eight games with the Nets, Harden is averaging 0.5 points less per game than he did in Houston, although his rebounds and assists per outing have increased by 2.9 and 1.4, respectively.

Betting Pick: Clippers +1.5

LA’s ability to get defensive stops when it matters in the fourth quarter should prove to be the difference.