NBA BASKETBALL BETTING PREVIEW - LA CLIPPERS @ SACRAMENTO KINGS

NBA Basketball

2013-04-17 - LA Clippers at Sacramento Kings

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

LA Clippers @ Sacramento Kings
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 17 April 2013 - Tip Off 10:30pm
3:30am (British Time)

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Preview

This is the final day of the regular season and there is little to play for where most teams are concerned. Those going into the Play Offs are already looking ahead to Saturday, while those already eliminated are perhaps getting ready for a well-earned break.

That won't be the case in California tonight as the LA Clippers (55-26) visit the Sacramento Kings (28-53)... Some of the Clippers players have described this as the most important game of the season as they can improve their seed to Number 3 in the Western Conference, while a win will definitely give them home court advantage in the First Round.

If the Clippers win, they need Denver to lose if they are to make sure of the Number 3 seed. Much more likely is that they would be hosting the Memphis Grizzlies in the First Round... However, if the Clippers lose and Memphis beat Utah, the Clippers would be playing the best of seven series with the Grizzlies having the home court advantage like last season.

This isn't an unimportant game for Sacramento either, despite being out of Play Off contention. That is because the Kings may be playing their last game in this City with that decision set to be announced hours before tip off. Either way, this should be an emotional game for the Kings, although a decision to move the team will not be well received by the fans and could translate onto the court.

Sacramento have also lost 7 of their last 8 games and could be missing Tyreke Evans for this contest. Chauncey Billups is back in the rotation for the Clippers although his minutes are likely to be limited again with the veteran more required for the Play Offs.

Head to Head

Sacramento are 1-2 down in the season series with the Clippers, but all 3 games have been won by the home team.

Before the win last month, the Kings had lost back to back home games against the Clippers.

Prediction

Keep in mind that Denver and Memphis are both playing earlier than the Clippers who will know the result of their games.

If Denver have won and Memphis have lost, there is every chance that the starters for the Clippers will be rested in this one so I would follow those results before putting down any cash on this pick.

IF the Clippers need to win this game, I think they are more than capable of doing it against a Kings team that needs to stay hot from the three point range to stay in touch. The Clippers can be hurt from beyond the arc, but they do look focused and I would think they could cover.

The Pick :