The Timberwolves have been terrible lately, losing six straight games SU and ATS, while yielding piles of points in the process. They find themselves as 5-point home underdogs against a Clippers team that is one of the NBA’s elite squads — and bettors have no reason to go against Los Angeles’ other team.
- Date/Time: December 13, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Target Center
- TV Coverage: Sportsnet 1, Fox Sports Prime Ticket, Fox Sports North
- Sportsbook Odds: Los Angeles -5 | O/U 230
- Clippers vs Timberwolves Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Los Angeles has not been great on the road overall this season but has played better of late — and Minnesota is in a serious rut — so the result is the Clippers Sportsbook as 5-point road favorites. The total opened at a modest 230 points, as Minnesota is all offense, no defense, while the Clippers are a strong defensive club but can also score when given the opportunity.
Los Angeles News & Notes
Kawhi Leonard made his long-awaited return to Toronto on Wednesday, and while he finally got his NBA championship ring from last season, the Clippers notched a 112-92 win — and finally seem to be shedding the poor road play that plagued them early this season.
The Clippers are one of the Western Conference’s top teams, sporting a 19-7 record, but they are just 6-6 away from the Staples Center. They’ve won three straight on the road, however, and Friday’s contest is the fifth of a six-game road swing.
Los Angeles’ improved road play has come from better defensive play — the Clippers allow 112.5 points per game on the road this season but have held their last two opponents to under 100 points.
The Clippers will be without one of their top defensive players, guard Patrick Beverley, on Friday due to a concussion, while Landry Shamet is likely to miss another game due to an ankle injury.
Minnesota News & Notes
The Timberwolves are sliding down the standings, having lost six straight games following their 127-116 loss to Utah on Wednesday.
Defense has been a problem all season for the T-Wolves, who allow 117.8 points per game (fourth-most in the league), but it’s been especially bad of late. They’ve surrendered 128.2 points per game during this losing streak, with three of those games coming against offenses in the bottom half of the league in scoring.
To make things worse, Minnesota can’t even seek refuge at home, as it is 0-6 SU and ATS in its last six home games. Against a streaking Clippers team that plays ferocious defense and also can score, the Timberwolves are in a less than ideal situation to get out of their losing funk.
Betting Pick: OVER 230
The Clippers tend to play more lower-scoring games, but Minnesota cannot guard anyone right now … and Los Angeles has no problem playing uptempo if need be.
- The OVER is 6-1 in Minnesota’s last 7 vs LA.
- LA is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
- Minnesota is 0-6 ATS in its last 6 games.
