by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Mar 11, 2023
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to watch: MSG, BSSC, ClipperVision
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Clippers -5
BetMGM: Clippers -5
Caesars: Clippers -5
Season record
Knicks: 39-29
Clippers: 35-33
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Knicks - Clippers preview, prediction and analysis
The New York Knicks will try to avoid a three-game losing streak on Saturday when they visit a very confusing Los Angeles Clippers team on Saturday that I have just given up what to make of them. So good news and congrats to the Knicks, I suppose.
The Knicks have dropped two in a row after winning nine straight. That started with a thud against the Charlotte Hornets at home, and then followed with a 122-117 loss to the Sacramento Kings in a nationally televised game on Thursday, where the talk was more about what was that the game was actually taking place in Sacramento on national TV. Which was dope.
But it was not dope for the Knicks to lose Jalen Brunson to a heel injury and losing out on his 19 points in 19 minutes. Julius Randle had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but he shot 8 of 22 from the floor and went 2 of 12 from 3-point range. RJ Barrett had 25 points, and Quentin Grimes had 19.
“We talked about it, we didn’t like the way we started,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They’re a very explosive team. … we had a shot at the end but we fell short.”
The Knicks covered in all of their wins prior to these last two with the over making a huge play over time. The Knicks have also done well on the margin and might get points in this one considering the Clippers are at home. Keep an eye on that.
The Clippers may have turned a corner with two straight wins after losing five in a row, with the latest being a 108-100 win over the Toronto Raptors at home where the Clippers were favored by 2.5.
Kawhi Leonard led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul George had 23 to lead the Clippers offense. Ivica Zubac also contributed with 17 points on just one missed shot to go along with eight rebounds.
“I thought we did a good job of talking and getting back in transition. We need to come out with a defensive mindset. That is what needs to improve for us to keep moving forward,” said Leonard, who also had a season-high 12 rebounds against the team he helped lead to the NBA title in 2019.
The Clippers have covered in two of three after failing to do so in four straight during the losing streak. The under has also been a huge play by going 21-5-1 in the last 27 when the Clippers are on two days rest. But L.A. is also 5-21 ATS in the last 26 on those two days rest.
Prediction
The Knicks have covered in 10 of the last 14 meetings in L.A. but it’s going to hinder on Brunson’s availability. If he can’t go, this is going to be a long afternoon for the Knicks. Clippers 112, Knicks 100
Projected starting lineup
Knicks:
PG: Miles McBride
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Clippers:
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Paul George
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
