NBA Basketball
2012-05-20 - San Antonio Spurs at LA Clippers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Western Conference Play Off Semi Final
Sunday 20 May 2012 - Tip Off 10:30pm ET
3:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The LA Clippers came out in game 3 exactly as I thought they would, with plenty of desperation and knowledge in the fact that they needed it to have any chance in this series. They had a 24 point lead in the first half, going in at half time with a 10 point lead and I felt pretty comfortable with the points in hand.
However, they then allowed the San Antonio Spurs to go on a 24-0 run in the third quarter, scoring just 8 points in that section and were then comfortably beaten by the Spurs in a ten point defeat.
That leaves the Clippers on the edge in the Western Conference Semi Final series and one that looks almost impossible for them to come back from as they face the favourites for the NBA title this season. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul have been playing through injuries, although Griffin had his best game in the Play Offs yesterday afternoon.
The Clippers have now lost the first three games of the series by an average of 14.3 points per game and their players have not exactly been feeling confident that they can get things going in this one. The big problem for them is that they cannot defend against the perimeter shooting the Spurs have.
Head to Head
San Antonio have now improved to 5-1 against the LA Clippers this season, both straight up and against the spread, and they have covered in all 3 games they have played in the Play Off series so far.
The LA Clippers are 1-11 in their last 12 home games against the Spurs, including 0-2 this season. San Antonio are 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 games at the Staples Center against the Clippers.
Other Interesting Trends
The LA Clippers are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home.
They are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last 6 games as the home underdog.
San Antonio are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last 7 games as the road favourite laying between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 16-4-1 against the spread in their last 21 games against a team with a winning record at home.
Prediction
I am going to back the San Antonio Spurs to complete the sweep and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, the LA Clippers suffered an emotional loss last night and might already feel this is too big a mountain to overcome and possibly come out a little flat. Their injuries will feel that much worse and it could be tough for them to bounce back if they do fall behind.
Second, the Spurs should be fully focused to complete the sweep and try and get some more rest between the Western Conference Finals against either the LA Lakers or the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Third, the Clippers are just 3-7 against the spread when playing on back to back nights, the Spurs are 4-0-1.
The Pick :
LA Clippers 91-104 San Antonio Spurs
