NBA Basketball
2011-01-31 - Milwaukee Bucks at LA Clippers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Monday 31 January 2011 - Tip-Off 10:30pm ET
3:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The LA Clippers (18-28) have been one of the laughing stocks of the NBA for quite some time, but all of that seems to have changed thanks to the emergence of Blake Griffin as a bona fide superstar in the League. They now face a Milwaukee Bucks (19-26) who are trying to get themselves back into the Play Off picture in the Eastern Conference after winning 3 games in a row.
The Clippers have won their last 8 home games at the Staples Center and they go for their 9th in a row tonight, the first time they would have hit such a mark since moving here in 1984.
The team has a 13-7 record in their last 20 games after starting the season 5-21. Griffin recorded his 32nd double-double in the last 33 games he has played and scored 19 points in the 1st half in the last home against Charlotte. Griffin is averaging 21 points in the first half of the last 4 home games to lead the Clippers.
Eric Gordon is out of the line up until some time in the next month which means there is more pressure on Griffin to produce. However, he has been ably backed up by Randy Foye who has averaged 18.7 points per game in his last 3 starts in relief of Gordon.
Milwaukee had been missing their star Brandon Jennings in recent games but would have been grateful to see him back on the court for limited action in the win over New Jersey. The Bucks have won 3 games in a row to move within 0.5 games of the current 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and looks to take advantage of what looks like a soft part of their schedule.
John Salmons has missed the last 7 games for the Bucks but has been well replaced by Carlos Delfino, who is averaging 17 points per game in his last 3 games.
Chris Douglas-Roberts missed the last game due to personal reasons but could be back in the rotation in this game.
Head to Head
The LA Clippers want to set a new record since they moved to LA from San Diego by winning their 9th home game in a row, and they have a good recent history against Milwaukee, winning 9 of their last 10 at home against them.
Milwaukee are 3-10-1 against the spread in the last 14 meetings in the series.
The Clippers are 15-13 against the spread at home this season, Milwaukee are 12-12 on the road.
The Clippers are 10-10 against the spread on 1 days rest, the Bucks are 10-7-1 on the same amount of rest period.
Other Interesting Notes
LA are 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 home games.
They are 10-4 against the spread when playing against teams from the same Division as the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee are 36-16-3 against the spread in the game following an ATS win.
They are 8-2 against the spread when given between 0.5 and 5 points on the road.
The Bucks are 6-13-1 against the spread in their last 20 games against the Western Conference.
Prediction
The LA Clippers have been brilliant at home in recent games as they look to give their long suffering fans some encouragement this season. The Play Offs look beyond them, but there should be plenty of confidence in the team as they have knocked off the LA Lakers and the Miami Heat during their home streak.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been playing well of late, and their players are beginning to return to fitness. I dont expect to see the best of Brandon Jennings for a week or so, perhaps not until after the All-Star break, and they have had a hard time here in recent visits.
I think the Clippers can win this game and cover the spread while making a little bit of franchise history.
The Pick :
LA Clippers 101-92 Milwaukee Bucks
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take the LA Clippers - 4 PointsFollow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak- the direct link is below
