The Eastern Conference leaders Toronto Raptors look to end a two game slide when they pay a visit to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers on Tuesday.
Toronto is currently two games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the East despite losing their last two games. They hope to build on that lead with a win over the Clippers who are also playing well right now. Los Angeles is currently one game behind the Western Conference leaders and they aim to keep pace by defending their home floor against the Raptors.
The Raptors head to this game on a two game losing streak and losers of three out of their last four games. But while that sounds bad, let me remind you that this is only the second time this season that Toronto has lost two or more in a row. Likewise, their last three losses have come via margins of 3,1 and 5 points only so it’s not that they are really playing bad.
The Raptors are the 5th highest scoring team in the NBA at 115.4 points per game. Toronto is also ranked 8th in assists at 25.1 dimes per contest. They are also 12th in the league in rebounding at 45.8 boards per game. Toronto allows its opponents to score 107.8 points per game, the 7th best scoring defense in the NBA this season.
Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Clippers 12/11/18
Moneyline Odds: Raptors -180, Clippers +160
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 12/11/18
The Los Angeles Clippers suffered only their second home loss of the season in their last outing. However, while they are still an impressive 9-2 at Staples Center this season, the Clippers lost their last home game to the Miami Heat by a score of 98-121 or a 23 point blowout which is one of the few blots of their 16-9 season which prior to Monday’s games, is just one game behind the Golden State Warriors for top spot in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
The Clippers have the 4th best scoring team in the NBA at 115.6 points per game scored. However, the Clippers allow 112.6 points per game which is just 22nd in the entire league. Los Angeles is also ranked 25th with an average of 22.1 assists per game and the Clippers are also 10th in rebounding at 46.4 boards per contest.
These teams have played a total of 44 times during the regular season and the Raptors have the edge in their all-time series 25-19. The Raptors have won five of their last eight meetings but the Clippers have taken three out of the last four including the last two to sweep the Raptors last season.
The Clippers are playing the second of back to back games here. The Raptors meanwhile last played on December 9th meaning they will be rested for this. Although the Clippers have the home court advantage, they will be traveling from Phoenix after a Monday date with the Suns. Fatigue may be a factor for the Clippers as they needed an extra period to beat the Suns and that may offset the home court advantage that Los Angeles has.
The Raptors are on a two game losing skid but remember that this is only their second losing streak of the season with the other being a three game losing streak. Toronto has lost three out of their last four games but they’ve done so by margins of 3,1 and 5 points. The Raptors could have easily won those games but Kyle Lowry has been on a slump during this period as he’s gone 4-28 over those games.
But we know what Lowry can do and that he can’t struggle for too long. Against a Clippers team whose defense is ranked just 22nd in team scoring, I think Lowry awakens from his slump and Toronto pulls off a road win at Staples Center.
We’re picking the Toronto Raptors to beat the Los Angeles Clippers on 12/11/18.
Heading to Monday’s games, the Raptors are 12-15-1 ATS in their 28 games played this season and Toronto is also 6-6-1 ATS in 13 road games played so far. The Clippers are 15-10 ATS in 25 games played this season. Los Angeles is also 8-3 ATS in 11 home games played so far. Head to head, the Raptors are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Clippers 12/11/18
Spread Odds: Raptors -4.5 (-113), Clippers +4.5 (-107)
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 12/11/18
Toronto has been mediocre against the spread on the road while the Clippers have played well against the spread at home. The Raptors are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games against the Clippers at Staples Center. Toronto is also 6-4 ATS in their last 10 overall meetings with Los Angeles. The Raptors are also 8-2 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 December games where they were favored by four or less points.
Prediction: Raptors -4.5
The total has gone over in 16 out of the 28 games played by the Raptors so far this season. The under is 7-6 in Toronto’s 13 road games played so far. On the other hand, the over is 14-10-1 in the 25 games played by the Clippers. The total has also gone over in six out of the 11 home games played by Los Angeles.
Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Clippers 12/11/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 224.5 -115, Under 224.5 -105
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 12/11/18
These teams have been explosive on the offensive end, ranking 4th (Toronto) and 5th (Clippers) in the entire league in team scoring. The over is also a combined 30-22-1 in their total games played this season. However, the total has gone under in 12 out of their last 15 games in Los Angeles. The Raptors have a defensive star in Kawhi Leonard and they have the 7th best scoring defense in the league. The Raptors have stayed under the total in their last five games overall and the under is also 5-0 in the Raptors’ last five games with one day rest. These teams have played good defense against each other.
Prediction: Under 224.5
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